Discovery of C-reactive protein's inflammatory pathway in diabetic kidneys offers new treatment avenues

Medical Xpress / The University of Hong Kong / Molecular Therapy ^ | March 13, 2025 | Yifan Wang et al

[ConservativeMind]

A research team has discovered that C-reactive protein (CRP) can exacerbate kidney inflammation caused by diabetes, also known as diabetic kidney disease (DKD), through a Smad3-NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent mechanism. Therefore, future research targeting CRP or the Smad3-NLRP3 mechanism may provide new treatment directions for DKD.

CRP is an inflammatory protein whose level rises rapidly when the body undergoes an inflammatory response, making it a commonly used clinical marker for inflammation. Recent studies have shown that CRP exacerbates kidney inflammation and fibrosis through the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway, worsening DKD. The activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is a key factor driving kidney inflammation, but it remains unclear whether CRP enhances inflammation in DKD through the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.

The research team analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 1999 and 2010, focusing on the participants' blood test results. They compared levels of CRP (an inflammatory marker) and hemoglobin A1c (a measure of blood glucose control) and calculated the glomerular filtration rate (a measure of kidney function).

The study found that higher CRP levels in patients with DKD were associated with lower glomerular filtration rates, indicating reduced kidney function. This suggests a clear negative linear relationship between CRP levels and kidney health in DKD patients.

Professor Chen Haiyong stated, "Although previous studies identified various typical and atypical mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, our findings demonstrate the direct signaling mechanism by which CRP activates the NLRP3 inflammasome in DKD."

The team noted that blocking CRP and inhibiting the Smad3 signaling mechanism could effectively suppress inflammation in DKD, providing alternative therapeutic targets.

[ConservativeMind]

There are a variety of ways to help reduce C-reactive protein (CRP).

I will post a link with information.

[ConservativeMind]

12+ Ways To Lower C Reactive Protein (CRP)

https://labs.selfdecode.com/blog/how-to-lower-c-reactive-protein/

[ConservativeMind]

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