Genetic studies on metabolic disorder associated kidney diseases.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and obesity-related kidney diseases are the representative chronic kidney diseases related to metabolic disorders. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been extensively performed, and a substantial number of confirmed loci have been identified to be associated with many common diseases or quantitative traits, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and chronic kidney diseases. By contrast, GWAS for DKD have identified limited number of susceptible loci, and the robust replication of these loci in independent studies has not yet been accomplished. As of 2024, no GWAS have been reported on obesity-related kidney diseases. Therefore, the genetic studies on DKD or obesity-related kidney diseases have not provided satisfiable results. However, by genetic correlation studies and Mendelian Randomization studies, that were performed using multi-traits GWAS data suggested that DKD, obesity-related kidney diseases, and obesity share common genetic mechanisms. Since obesity or overweight is a reversible condition, the effective interventions to reduce body weights might contribute to the prevention of the development of not only obesity-related kidney diseases, but also DKD or other types of chronic kidney diseases. Further genetic studies are necessary to understand the genetic architecture of DKD and obesity-related kidney diseases, and should be expanded.