Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a devastating complication of critical illness. In its most severe form, AKI requiring renal replacement therapy (AKI-RRT) carries a mortality rate of greater than 50%. As a result of falling glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in severe AKI, plasma uric acid (PUA) levels rise; PUA is a potential mediator of AKI complications. Mechanisms linking elevated PUA to AKI include intratubular obstruction by uric acid crystals, endothelial dysfunction, activation of the renin-angiotensin system, and exaggerated inflammatory reactions. We propose to study the significance of PUA in patients with AKI-RRT. We propose to measure PUA in 817 stored bio-samples from the Veterans Affairs/National Institutes of Health Acute Renal Failure Trial Network (ATN) study.
In Aim 1 we will examine the association between PUA and pro-inflammatory markers: IL-8, IL-18, and MIF. We hypothesize higher PUA levels will be independently associated with higher levels of IL-8, IL-18, and MIF after controlling for relevant confounding variables including severity of illness and severity of AKI.
In Aim 2, we will study the prospective association between PUA and adverse clinical outcomes in AKI- RRT. We hypothesize that higher PUA levels are associated with a higher 60-day mortality and longer duration of RRT independent of relevant confounding variables including severity of illness and severity of AKI.

Public Health Relevance

The role of uric acid in the development of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in all critically ill populations has not been studied. Uric acid may lead to AKI by mechanisms including intratubular obstruction as well as endothelial dysfunction and an exaggerated inflammatory response. We propose to study the association of uric acid in patients with AKI requiring renal replacement therapy in the intensive care unit with pro-inflammatory markers and adverse clinical outcomes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32DK111066-01
Application #
9189455
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2016-08-15
Project End
2017-08-14
Budget Start
2016-08-15
Budget End
2017-08-14
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Srivastava, Anand; Kaze, Arnaud D; McMullan, Ciaran J et al. (2018) Uric Acid and the Risks of Kidney Failure and Death in Individuals With CKD. Am J Kidney Dis 71:362-370
Leaf, David E; Jacob, Kirolos A; Srivastava, Anand et al. (2017) Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 Levels Associate with AKI and Death in Critical Illness. J Am Soc Nephrol 28:1877-1885
Cardenas-Gonzalez, Mariana; Srivastava, Anand; Pavkovic, Mira et al. (2017) Identification, Confirmation, and Replication of Novel Urinary MicroRNA Biomarkers in Lupus Nephritis and Diabetic Nephropathy. Clin Chem 63:1515-1526