Kidney diseases and physiology
Project goals
The human body produces around 180 litres of primary urine (filtered blood plasma) per day with the help of the kidneys, but only around two litres of this is excreted. The remaining fluid and many of the substances dissolved in it are all transported back by our kidneys so that they are not lost from the body. This constant high performance makes the kidneys susceptible to damage, for example due to circulatory disorders or medication. Alongside type 2 diabetes and some forms of cancer, kidney disease is one of the most common diseases in adults.
The expert group focuses on the quantification, description and research of kidney function, damage and structure within the German National Cohort (NAKO). The aim is to better understand risk factors and molecular mechanisms for the development, causes and consequences of kidney disease and to develop preventive measures to improve kidney health in the population.
First results
Characterisation of image-based kidney markers: The researchers used machine learning methods to derive kidney volumes from MRI images of 11,207 participants in the NAKO. They were able to show that the methods used are accurate and efficient and can be used in further studies to investigate the kidney structure in more detail.
Further development of methods: The creation of metabolic profiles from urine samples is an established method for investigating disease states. The scientists have tested the stability of metabolic profiles from urine samples of NAKO participants using various methods.
Publications
Kellner E, Sekula P, Lipovsek J, et al. Imaging markers derived from MRI-based automated kidney segmentation. Deutsches Ärzteblatt international. 2024. http://doi.org/10.3238/arztebl.m2024.0040
Budde K, Gök ÖN, Pietzner M, et al. Quality assurance in the pre-analytical phase of human urine samples by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics. 2016;589:10-17. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.abb.2015.07.016
Kühn A, Nieters A, Köttgen A, et al. Feasibility and quality development of biomaterials in the pretest studies of the German National Cohort. Bundesgesundheitsbl. 2014;57(11):1255-1263. http://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-014-2048-7
Speakers
Prof. Dr. Anna Köttgen
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lieb (Deputy Spokesperson)