kidney failure

November 21, 2023

VUMC scientists discover key step to kidney fibrosis

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for the first time have shown that activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is essential for the development of kidney fibrosis, tissue scarring following injury that can lead to kidney failure.

By Bill Snyder
October 16, 2023

ICU antibiotics may be safe for kidneys

A Vanderbilt study found that two antibiotics thought to cause kidney failure in ICU patients with a severe bacterial infection, especially when combined with another antibiotic, may be safer for the kidneys than previously reported.

By Craig Boerner
September 21, 2023

Two miracles, four years apart

Kelly Harden’s life was saved by a lung transplant. Exactly four years later, she was saved again with a kidney transplant.

By Matt Batcheldor
August 11, 2022

A story of family and faith: Jennifer received a kidney transplant. The donor was Capri, who is married to Dennis. Jennifer is Dennis’ ex-wife. It’s complicated.

The extended family has grown closer as a result of Capri’s generosity. She says her faith led her to the decision.

By Matt Batcheldor
March 14, 2022

Not taking her medications could have cost a patient her life. A new Transplant Pharmacy program found her in the nick of time.

Transplant Pharmacy uses a new computer program to find patients who need medication reminders

By Emily Stembridge
Adriana Hung, MD, MPH, talks with patient Sylvester Norman, who is participating in the VA Department’s Million Veteran Program.
February 10, 2022

Gene variants increase risk of kidney failure in veterans of African ancestry with COVID-19: study

Gene variants increased the risk of acute kidney injury and death in veterans of African ancestry who were hospitalized with COVID-19, possibly explaining some health disparities associated with COVID-19.

By Leigh MacMillan
February 2, 2022

VUMC study raises hope for improving treatment of kidney disease

Vanderbilt research has revealed an important mechanism in the kidney by which a cell surface receptor known as DDR1 fans the flames of inflammation and fibrosis that ultimately lead to kidney failure.
By Bill Snyder
January 13, 2022

Eighteen years ago Kanisha Sizemore got a new kidney and pancreas. With her job in the Transplant Pharmacy she gives patients hope and perspective.

“Being a transplant recipient is a blessing, but it is also life changing in several ways."
By Matt Batcheldor
July 22, 2020

VUMC, UCSF win KidneyX award for implantable home dialysis system

A $500,000 KidneyX prize has been awarded to The Kidney Project — a collaboration between Vanderbilt University Medical Center and University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) — for the development of an implantable dialysis system that would enable patients to safely and effectively treat kidney failure at home.
By Kelsey Herbers
May 18, 2020

Implant one day may replace dialysis

Vanderbilt researchers used pharmacological manipulations to increase salt and water transport by kidney cells grown in culture, a step necessary for realizing an implantable artificial kidney device.
By Anivarya Kumar
October 31, 2019

Vanderbilt investigators lead effort to create map of the human kidney

Short of mandating universal diabetes treatment, regular exercise and low-calorie diets, little can be done to stem the rising tide of kidney failure — unless scientists can figure out why exactly the kidney’s filtration units, the glomeruli, stop working.
By Bill Snyder
November 12, 2015

Immune system a must for kidney repair

A signaling protein that is essential for recovery from acute kidney injury works by increasing the population of tissue-repairing immune cells.
By Lorena Infante
June 27, 2013

Research effort seeks to improve home care for kidney failure patients

Vanderbilt nephrologist, Thomas Golper, M.D., professor of Medicine in Nephrology and Hypertension, is leading an effort to form a research consortium with a goal of improving care for kidney failure patients who receive a form of home dialysis.
By VUMC News and Communications
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