Vanda Jorgetti, Luciene Machado Dos Reis, Anibal Ferreira
{"title":"A need for normalization of bone histomorphometry parameters in chronic kidney disease.","authors":"Vanda Jorgetti, Luciene Machado Dos Reis, Anibal Ferreira","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001189","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001189","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Bone histomorphometry remains the only method capable of providing a direct, tissue-level assessment of bone remodeling, mineralization, and bone volume in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The introduction of the TMV (turnover, mineralization, volume) classification represented a major conceptual advance by offering a unified framework to describe the heterogeneous skeletal abnormalities of renal osteodystrophy. However, nearly two decades after its introduction, the clinical and research application of the TMV system remains inconsistent. This limitation reflects not conceptual shortcomings of the framework, but the persistent lack of robust and standardized normative reference values for human bone tissue.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Recent consensus statements and analytical studies have highlighted substantial inter-center variability in the use of the TMV classification. Differences in reference standards, reporting practices, and cut-off definitions significantly affect the diagnosis and categorization of renal osteodystrophy. Emerging initiatives have proposed ethically acceptable strategies to generate contemporary normative datasets, including the use of bone biopsies from living kidney donors. In parallel, increasing attention has been drawn to the biological importance of cortical bone histomorphometry, which remains underrepresented and methodologically inconsistent across studies.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Normalization of histomorphometric parameters - encompassing both trabecular and cortical compartments - remains the principal unresolved challenge. Addressing this issue is essential to enhance the clinical and scientific impact of bone histomorphometry in CKD and to support its integration with biomarkers, imaging techniques, and data-driven approaches.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"433-439"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147812171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Calciprotein particles: is it time for therapeutic intervention?","authors":"Makoto Kuro-O","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001196","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001196","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Calciprotein particles (CPPs) are colloidal nanoparticles composed of solid-phase calcium phosphate and serum proteins (mainly fetuin-A) that form as part of a defense system preventing ectopic mineral crystal growth. Recent studies have repositioned CPPs from passive byproducts of mineral imbalance to biologically active particles implicated in chronic kidney disease (CKD).</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Experimental studies have shown that CPP uptake by vascular endothelial cells and monocytes induces mitochondrial and lysosomal dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammasome activation. In clinical studies, circulating CPP levels and T50, an index of calcification propensity, are consistently associated with vascular calcification, cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality across CKD stages. Interventional studies further indicate that modulation or removal of CPPs alters vascular and inflammatory phenotypes in vivo .</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Accumulating mechanistic and clinical evidence supports the concept that CPPs are plausible pathogenic mediators of CKD-associated complications. Targeting CPP formation, maturation, or clearance therefore represents a promising therapeutic strategy. Whether such approaches will translate into sustained clinical benefit remains an important question for ongoing and future trials.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"459-464"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147834822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advancing science and care in CKD-MBD: the layered path to legacy.","authors":"Rosa Moyses, Aline Martin","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001192","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1097/MNH.0000000000001192","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":"35 4","pages":"403-405"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148041450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Systemic versus local regulation of vitamin D.","authors":"Michaela A A Fuchs, Myles Wolf","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001186","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001186","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>New clinical data and technical advances challenge the long-held belief that the kidney is the predominant organ for vitamin D synthesis and degradation. This review highlights recent discoveries in systemic and local vitamin D regulation and their potential to influence future development of novel treatment concepts.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>New clinical studies of calcifediol supplementation in anephric patients and in chronic kidney disease provide evidence for significant extra-renal vitamin D production. The clinical findings are supported by recent laboratory-based studies that utilize new technologies and mouse models. These studies identify the spleen and other organs as sites of vitamin D production, capable of compensating for a loss of kidney production in mice. The importance of local vitamin D metabolism is further underlined by the finding that secondary hyperparathyroidism in a model of chronic kidney disease could be attenuated by reducing vitamin D inactivation exclusively in the intestines.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent tissue-specific investigations of vitamin D metabolism identified several physiologically relevant and potentially targetable tissues beyond the kidney. These findings may provide the basis for novel treatments in kidney disease and other vitamin D-associated disorders with wider therapeutic windows than current approaches that act on the kidneys.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"413-418"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13292359/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147812200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Hypophosphatemia in kidney stone formers.","authors":"Megan Prochaska, Anna Zisman","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001187","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001187","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Hypophosphatemia is frequently observed among kidney stone formers, yet the mechanisms linking phosphate homeostasis to nephrolithiasis remain nebulous. Recent advances in clinical genetics have led to renewed interest in phosphate metabolism as both a stone risk factor and a therapeutic target. This review summarizes the evolving understanding of disordered phosphate homeostasis in nephrolithiasis and highlights recent developments.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Stone formers frequently exhibit lower serum phosphate and disproportionately high kidney phosphate losses, largely driven by reduced tubular reabsorption rather than dietary intake or dysregulation of hormonal pathways. Emerging data implicate variants in proximal tubule phosphate transporter genes as underlying this phenomenon. Phosphate supplementation has demonstrated benefit in prevention of stone recurrence via reduction of urinary calcium though therapeutic response is variable, perhaps due to genetic differences. Recent studies have linked genetic variants in these transporters to stone risk.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Understanding of tubular phosphate handling and its underlying genetics in nephrolithiasis suggests that genetic screening and personalized approaches to therapies such as phosphate supplementation will improve clinical outcomes. Ongoing research into the association between transporter variants and clinical outcomes heralds a new era of individualized stone therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"453-458"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13505612/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147812165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Minhao Zhou, Thomas L Nickolas, Joachim H Ix, Galateia J Kazakia
{"title":"Virtual bone biopsy: time-lapse high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography provides noninvasive comprehensive skeletal assessment.","authors":"Minhao Zhou, Thomas L Nickolas, Joachim H Ix, Galateia J Kazakia","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001166","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001166","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Skeletal complications are a pressing concern across prevalent chronic endocrine and cardiovascular conditions. Patient-specific skeletal assessment encompassing bone remodeling dynamics, density, geometry, microarchitecture, and strength are essential for elucidating underlying pathogenesis and informing treatment strategies. High-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) accurately assesses three-dimensional bone density, geometry, microarchitecture, and strength in vivo. Time-lapse analysis enables noninvasive investigations into dynamic bone remodeling processes by longitudinally tracking voxel-level bone gain and loss. Integrating time-lapse analysis with HR-pQCT ('time-lapse HR-pQCT') provides a comprehensive skeletal assessment - virtual bone biopsy - that is accessible, noninvasive, and reliable.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Time-lapse analysis was validated for in vivo skeletal assessment in microCT-based preclinical studies two decades ago. Recently, clinical time-lapse HR-pQCT research has demonstrated its feasibility in assessing bone turnover in patients with chronic kidney disease, and in characterizing spatial mapping of long-term bone gain/loss in response to bone-targeted drugs, mechanical loading, and disease/injury. Nevertheless, future challenges remain, including validation against bone biopsy with quantitative histomorphometry, comparisons to established circulating bone turnover biomarkers, and adaptation for pediatric populations.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Time-lapse HR-pQCT is a skeletal assessment capable of evaluating and longitudinally monitoring changes in bone remodeling dynamics, density, geometry, microarchitecture, and biomechanics. We advocate for its broader implementation, provided that rigorous validation and ongoing methodological optimization are ensured.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"440-446"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13118230/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146149110","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Indoxyl sulfate: clinical implications for anemia management in chronic kidney disease.","authors":"Manoch Rattanasompattikul, Thatsaphan Srithongkul, Ekamol Tantisattamo, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Kajohnsak Noppakun","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001145","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001145","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review examines the role of indoxyl sulfate, a gut-derived uremic toxin, in the development of anemia in chronic kidney disease. It dissects the cellular and biochemical mechanisms through which indoxyl sulfate suppresses erythropoietin production, disrupts iron metabolism, and promotes oxidative stress and inflammation.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Indoxyl sulfate interferes directly with the hypoxia-inducible factor pathway, thereby reducing the transcriptional activation of erythropoietin. In parallel, indoxyl sulfate-induced oxidative stress damages red blood cells and accelerates premature cell death, while its stimulation of pro-inflammatory pathways further downregulates erythroid progenitor cell function. Therapeutic strategies such as dietary protein modulation, gut microbiota interventions, oral adsorbents, and enhanced dialysis modalities have shown promise in lowering indoxyl sulfate levels and, consequently, improving erythropoietin responsiveness and iron homeostasis in chronic kidney disease patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>The review synthesizes evidence from clinical and experimental studies that position indoxyl sulfate as a central yet underappreciated mediator of anemia in chronic kidney disease. Indoxyl sulfate establishes a vicious cycle that exacerbates anemia and contributes to erytropoiesis-stimulating agent hyporesponsiveness. The article advocates for targeted interventions aimed at reducing indoxyl sulfate burden, which could transform anemia management in chronic kidney disease and pave the way for personalized treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"387-393"},"PeriodicalIF":2.4,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145699879","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New pharmacological therapies for hypertension.","authors":"Manish Saxena, Feng J He, Mark J Caulfield","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001163","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001163","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause for morbidity and mortality, and hypertension (HTN) remain the most important modifiable risk factor for CVD with poor control rates. All guidelines recommend lower blood pressure (BP) target that has made BP control rates in the community even worse. There is high unmet clinical need for novel therapies in HTN that could help achieve lower BP targets consistently across all patient subgroups.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>There have not been many novel therapies successfully developed for HTN in the last 30 years. Successful therapies such as renal denervation (RDN) or endothelin receptor antagonist aprocetantan have major limitations (poor response rate with RDN, fluid retention and modest BP reduction with aprocetantan) that restricts their use in large cohorts. Novel therapies including RNAi Zilebesiran and aldosterone synthase inhibitors (lorundrostat and baxdrostat) have demonstrated efficacy and safety in large, robust randomized controlled trials with good safety/tolerability and clinically significant BP reduction consistent across all sub-groups.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Novel therapies (Zilebesiran, lorundrostat, baxdrostat) have shown great potential in lowering BP that is clinically meaningful to help improve cardiovascular and renal outcomes. ASI therapies lorundrostat and baxdrostat are close to being licensed for HTN. Once commercially available and recommended in treatment guidelines, the next big challenge will be reimbursement and implementation model in different healthcare systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"367-372"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146060353","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Assessing interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy in kidney biopsies - artificial intelligence versus humans.","authors":"Alton B Farris, Dženan Zukić, Kim Solez","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001174","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001174","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The degree to which computerized methods, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will aid in the assessment of kidney histopathology is undergoing intense study and application; and this is particularly true for interstitial fibrosis, which is often used as a surrogate measure of chronic kidney disease progression, since interobserver variability among human pathologists has been demonstrated in the assessment of interstitial fibrosis and other features.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Computerized assessment of interstitial fibrosis, including with AI, has been assessed alongside pathologists. Computerized methods such as AI have shown direct interstitial fibrosis measurement and indirect assessment through kidney compartment segmentation; however, some studies have shown lack of complete concordance among computerized methods and humans; and studies have still shown the persistent value of human assessment in many circumstances.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Computerized methods, including AI, are showing increased application in kidney pathology for a wide variety of clinical and histopathologic parameter assessment, including interstitial fibrosis; however, further studies are needed to characterize the performance of AI and handcrafted methods; and additional work is needed to fully integrate computerized methods into routine pathology practice. Ultimately, humans working with AI (\"humans + AI\") may provide enhanced analysis for more effective patient care.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"300-307"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147456250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Connie M Rhee, Yaara Zisman-Ilani, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Danh V Nguyen
{"title":"Continuous glucose monitoring in patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis and with kidney transplantation.","authors":"Connie M Rhee, Yaara Zisman-Ilani, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Danh V Nguyen","doi":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001169","DOIUrl":"10.1097/MNH.0000000000001169","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>While adequate glycemic control is a cornerstone of mitigating the cardio-kidney-metabolic risk of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients with diabetes, including those receiving dialysis or kidney transplantation, there are limitations in the accuracy and/or convenience of traditional glycemic metrics in these populations. This has led to growing interest in continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) as an automated, minimally-invasive digital technology in diabetic ESKD patients.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>In the dialysis population, growing research shows that CGM is clinically reliable for use based on error grid analysis, although a wide range of mean absolute relative difference (MARD) values have been observed across cohorts and CGM devices. There are fewer studies of CGM in kidney transplant recipients (KTR's), which suggest reasonable analytical accuracy. While CGM has the potential to empower ESKD patients to participate actively in their disease management, broader adoption is limited by barriers at the healthcare system, financial, patient, and provider levels.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>While emerging data support the clinical utility of CGM in ESKD, further research is needed to determine its efficacy and to inform the development and validation of decision support tools, educational interventions, and implementation strategies for broader uptake and integration into routine care in dialysis patients and KTR's.</p>","PeriodicalId":10960,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension","volume":" ","pages":"394-401"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147364106","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}