... which is about anabolic–androgenic steroids. Corticosteroids (cortisone, among others) are ANTI-ANABOLIC, which means their use leads to muscle atrophy and weakening.
Not at all the same thing.
Posted on 10/27/2025 8:55:24 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
Will it be possible to treat severe kidney inflammation with fewer drugs in the future? A new study gives cause for hope. The researchers show that even low, repeated doses of steroids could be enough to stop inflammation in particularly aggressive crescentic glomerulonephritis (cGN).
The findings could fundamentally change the treatment of many patients—and significantly reduce side effects.
cGN is one of the most dangerous forms of kidney inflammation. Without treatment, it can lead to terminal kidney failure within a few weeks. The standard therapy to date consists of high doses of glucocorticoids (steroids), which strongly suppress the immune system. Although these drugs are effective, they are often associated with significant side effects, including diabetes, osteoporosis, and severe infections.
The team has now investigated in more detail how steroids work in the kidney—and why lower doses may achieve the same effect.
Using modern single-cell and spatial gene sequencing and disease models in mice, the researchers identified a specific subgroup of pro-inflammatory neutrophils as immune cells that significantly promote kidney damage. These cells originate directly in the inflamed kidney tissue and remain active there longer than normal neutrophils.
"Our study shows that doctors do not necessarily need extremely high doses of steroids to suppress these cells—small, repeated doses may be sufficient," explains Prof. Kurts.
In the mouse model, the researchers were able to show that low, regularly administered glucocorticoids block the formation of these harmful cells—even without an initial high dose. Kidney biopsies from patients treated with low doses also showed fewer of these immune cells.
"Single-cell sequencing allowed us to track the harmful neutrophils directly in the inflamed kidney," says Dr. Junping Yin. "This opens up new ways to use steroids in a more targeted and safer manner."
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Our cat has been on low dose Prednisolone for years, and we were told it can LEAD TO kidney failure.
... which is about anabolic–androgenic steroids. Corticosteroids (cortisone, among others) are ANTI-ANABOLIC, which means their use leads to muscle atrophy and weakening.
Not at all the same thing.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.