The impact of gender on the progression of chronic renal disease

Sharon R. Silbiger, Joel Neugarten

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

340 Scopus citations

Abstract

Observations in experimental animals and in humans have shown that the rate of progression of renal disease is influenced by gender. Deterioration of renal function in patients with chronic renal disease is more rapid in men than in women, independent of differences in blood pressure or serum cholesterol levels. In addition to genetically determined differences between the sexes in renal structure and function, sex hormones may directly influence many of the processes implicated in the pathogenesis of renal disease progression. Potential mechanisms include receptor-mediated effects of sex hormones on glomerular hemodynamics and mesangial cell proliferation and matrix accumulation as well as effects on the synthesis and release of cytokines, vasoactive agents, and growth factors. In addition, estrogens may exert potent antioxidant actions in the mesangial microenvironment, which may contribute to the protective effect of female gender.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)515-533
Number of pages19
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume25
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1995

Keywords

  • Gender
  • kidney disease
  • lipids
  • mesangial cell

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

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