Researchers at UT Dallas have uncovered new insights into how kidney damage affects the movement of engineered nanoparticles, commonly used to deliver drugs or imaging agents to the body. Traditionally, doctors assess kidney function by measuring blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) levels, but this method may not be effective in predicting how nanoparticles are processed by damaged kidneys.

The study, conducted on mice with kidney damage induced by the chemotherapy drug cisplatin, found that when BUN and Cr levels were elevated tenfold, nanoparticle transport through the kidneys slowed significantly. This delay caused the nanoparticles to linger in the kidneys for longer periods. In contrast, mice with milder kidney injuries, where BUN and Cr were only four to five times above normal, showed unpredictable nanoparticle transport and retention based on these biomarkers alone.

Interestingly, the researchers found that the accumulation of gold nanoparticles, visible on X-rays, correlated strongly with the severity of kidney damage. This suggests that traditional biomarkers like BUN and Cr may not reliably predict nanoparticle behavior in the kidneys, especially in cases of mild damage. However, gold nanoparticles offer a promising alternative for assessing kidney health noninvasively, as their retention levels can be visualized using X-ray imaging techniques.

Dr. Mengxiao Yu, a key author of the study, emphasized the potential of using gold nanoparticles not only as a therapeutic tool but also as a diagnostic marker to assess kidney damage. These findings could lead to more accurate evaluations of kidney function in patients receiving nanoparticle-based treatments, especially those with compromised kidney health.

The research highlights a critical gap in traditional diagnostic methods and points toward innovative solutions that could transform how kidney injuries are assessed during advanced treatments

Article written by Science Daily

22/09/2024

Source:

Science Daily

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240922232013.htm