Associations Of Blood Mitochondrial DNA Quality And Quantity With Risk Of Kidney Function Decline
Our kidneys are vital organs that require a lot of energy to filter waste and maintain our body’s balance. This energy is primarily produced by tiny powerhouses within our cells called mitochondria. These mitochondria have their own genetic material, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which is separate from the DNA found in the cell’s nucleus.
Recent research sheds light on how the health of this mitochondrial DNA in our blood might predict the risk of kidney problems. The study found that two key aspects of mitochondrial DNA are important: its “quality” and “quantity.”
When we talk about mitochondrial DNA “quality,” we are referring to the presence of mutations, or changes, in this genetic material. The study observed that individuals with a higher number of these accumulated mutations, a condition called heteroplasmy, faced a greater risk of their kidney function declining. Think of it like having more errors in the instruction manual for the mitochondria, which can hinder their ability to produce energy efficiently.
Conversely, the “quantity” of mitochondrial DNA, or the number of mitochondrial DNA molecules present in cells, also plays a crucial role. The findings indicated that a higher number of mitochondrial DNA copies was associated with a lower risk of kidney function decline. This suggests that having more of these energy-producing units, or perhaps a greater capacity for energy production, is beneficial for kidney health.
These insights are significant because they expand our understanding of how mitochondrial health contributes to the progression of kidney disease. Measuring these aspects of mitochondrial DNA in the blood could potentially serve as an early indicator for kidney issues and open new avenues for developing strategies to prevent or manage kidney disease.
Source: link to paper