Chronic kidney disease is an irreversible kidney damage. Its multitude of causative factors grant a complex pathology to the disease. The preventive measures slow the disease progression but cannot improve the damage and the kidney function. The treatment options also relieve the symptoms but fail to address the underlying pathology and repair the damage. Therefore, this disease requires a different treatment modality to recover damaged tissue and improve kidney function.

Chronic Kidney Disease

The kidneys filter blood and eliminate waste from the body through urine.  Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) refers to irreversible kidney damage that progresses gradually. The glomerular filtration rate divides the progression of CKD into five stages, whereas the albumin to creatinine ratio in urine divides it into three. These indicators describe the kidney function and urine albumin concentration, thus providing a better classification system. CKD can occur due to disruptions in blood flow, infections, diabetes, congenital abnormalities, cardiovascular disorders, certain medications, kidney injury, autoimmune disorders, etc.

Pathology of CKD

Different factors cause injury in the kidneys, inducing the reparative mechanisms. These mechanisms can heal the injury; however, repetitive injuries can lead to their dysregulation. The fibroblast cells of the kidney undergo conversion into myofibroblasts to lay out the renal matrix and remodel the injury site. The imbalanced healing process results in excessive accumulation of matrix protein, leading to fibrosis. It gradually damages the structural integrity of kidneys and, therefore, interferes with their normal functioning.

CKD Treatment

The treatment of CKD involves symptom management and palliative care. Generally, the underlying causes and risk factors are targeted, such as avoidance of smoking, managing blood pressure, eating a healthy diet, etc. At later stages, regular or continuous dialysis is recommended. The advanced stage of CKD mandates the transplantation of a healthy kidney. The process is expensive, and donor scarcity often contributes to high mortality.

Stem Cell Treatment for CKD

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have provided a novel treatment approach to CKD. Stem cells can reverse or repair the damaged tissue, improving functional capacity, unlike conventional approaches that only mitigate symptoms. Preclinical studies have proved the effectiveness of MSCs in treating CKD. These studies revealed the following mechanisms of MSCs that treat CKD:

1. MSCs lower the levels of inflammation.

2. They differentiate into kidney cells, thus reestablishing the renal population.

3. MSCs also reduce renal cell death and acceleration of cell proliferation.

4. Their anti-fibrotic and angiogenesis properties exert protective and regenerative effects on the kidneys.

5. These cells inhibit cell death by decreasing activation of p53, NH-2 terminal kinase, c-Jun, etc.

6. They prevent loss of blood capillaries in kidneys that can cause kidney damage

7. MSCs also prolong the survival period

Clinical Trials

The positive results in animals have encouraged the application of stem cells in humans. The administration of stem cells in CKD patients demonstrated the following outcomes:

1. Increase in GFR

2. Stabilization of kidney functions

3. Improvement in albumin excretion

4. Increase in quantity of regulatory T cells

5. Reduction in dialysis incidence and mortality rate

The stem cell treatment did not cause any adverse reactions and was safe and well-tolerated.

Stem Cell Treatment in India

India has emerged as the top destination for regenerative therapy in recent years. The fundamental causes appear to be high-quality cells, world-class infrastructure, and reasonably priced therapy. The development of stem cell-based therapeutics has been greatly aided by skilled experts and in-depth research on stem cells. However, caution is recommended while selecting the centre and the stem cell provider.

The stem cell provider should have certificates such as GMP, ISO, etc. and a BSL laboratory required for cell preparation. The certificates ensure the adherence to quality standards and a product free from contamination and impurities. The healthcare professional should also have prior experience in administering stem cells. These precautions add to the safety of the therapy and also assure its effectiveness. Advancells is a reliable stem cell provider that provides advanced regenerative CKD treatment in India.

On A Final Note

CKD has been affecting millions of people worldwide. It has been expected to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2040. Still, the treatment options for CKD are limited. None of them can reverse or repair the damage present in the tissue and only slow the progression of the disease. With their regenerative potential, stem cells can prove to be an effective treatment alternative. Animal studies have proved their potential in acting on diverse aspects of CKD. Clinical trials on humans have demonstrated favorable results without impacting patients negatively. With stabilization in renal functions and increasing survival, stem cells will soon be the standard treatment of CKD. India is leading the charge of stem cell therapies by investment in regenerative medicine research and treatment infrastructure. Advancells is a private sector company that has significantly contributed to stem cell therapy for CKD treatment in India with its premium-quality stem cells.