The kidney and lipids: preface

Abstract

From June 5 through June 7, 2013, there was a World Congress of Nephrology 2013 Satellite Symposium on the Kidney and Lipids in Fukuoka, Japan. This meeting was held in conjunction with The 25th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Kidney and Lipids. There were 158 participants, all with an interest in the role of lipid abnormalities in chronic kidney disease (CKD). There is a long history of speculation regarding the association between lipid abnormalities and CKD. Virchow [1] was one of the first to describe this association and referred to the ‘‘fatty metamorphosis’’ of diseased kidneys as early as 1860. Fifty years later, Munk was intrigued by fatty deposition in patients with nephrotic syndrome and coined the term ‘‘Lipoidnephrose’’ [2]. Others subsequently referred to the presence of lipid in diseased kidneys and speculated on its role in the pathogenesis of kidney damage. Kimmelstiel and Wilson [3] in their classic description of diabetic nephropathy in 1936 noted the prominent role of lipid deposition. More recently, attention was again focused on the possible role of lipids in CKD with the publication of an editorial review by Moorhead et al. [4] in 1982. They hypothesized that lipid abnormalities might be both a consequence and a cause of progressive kidney injury. Specifically, lipids might be involved in glomerular and tubular injury in much the same way that dyslipidemia causes atherosclerosis. A number of groups actively investigated ways to test this hypothesis and in October 8–10, 1998, there was a symposium on ‘‘Lipids and Renal Disease’’ at Kashikojima/Ise-Shima National Park, Japan [5]. Since that time, there have been many more basic science studies and clinical trials testing the hypothesis that dyslipidemia may play an important role in the development and progression of CKD. Thus, the organizers thought it was an opportune time to gather and discuss what we know, and what we need to learn regarding this important topic. This preface reviews a few of the highlights of the meeting, many of which are described in more detail in the articles of this special issue.