The study, published in the European Heart Journal, revealed that aldosterone was linked with an increased risk of kidney failure in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Aldosterone is a steroid hormone secreted by the adrenal glands that play a central role in controlling blood pressure. But increased levels of aldosterone can lead to high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and kidney diseases.

The study led by an Indian-American researcher showed that the risk of CKD worsening and developing into end-stage kidney disease was independent of whether or not patients had diabetes. In the study, Dr. Ashish Verma, Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Medicine, US, and his team investigated the associations between aldosterone concentrations in the blood and kidney disease progression. Dr. Verma added that the findings of the study are important because they show that aldosterone not only plays a crucial role in the progression of CKD but also in heart and blood vessel problems.

The team observed that the higher levels of aldosterone concentrations in the blood were associated with a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and lower levels of potassium in the blood. On the other hand, increased concentrations of aldosterone were linked with higher potassium and protein concentrations in urine. Further, they found that each doubling of aldosterone concentrations in the blood increased the risk of CKD progression by 11%. Patients with the highest concentrations had an increased risk of 45% in comparison to patients with the lowest aldosterone concentrations. Also, the risk ratio was found to be similar regardless of whether or not patients also had diabetes. 

(Source: https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=989608 )