Nutrition and Metabolism in Kidney Diseases

Impaired kidney function is a serious medical condition associated with poor outcomes, such as increased morbidity and mortality. The severe impairment of kidney function, which occurs in severe chronic kidney disease (CKD) and acute kidney injury (AKI), promotes specific alterations in proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids metabolism. Moreover, kidney failure induces a pro-inflammatory state, which may also affect the nutritional status of the patients. Among the many factors that affect poor outcomes in this patient population, protein-energy wasting, which is the state of metabolic and nutritional derangements, plays a significant role.

Nutritional management in individuals with impaired kidney function varies depending on the disease severity, nutritional status, cause of disease, comorbidities, medications, and treatment methods. Therefore, understanding the available methods for assessing nutritional status, establishing dietary requirements, and strategies for preventing or treating potential nutritional derangements is essential for optimal care of patients with kidney diseases.

This Research Topic aims to provide updated information concerning research in nutrition and metabolism across kidney and urologic diseases, dialysis therapies, and kidney transplantation in children and adults. The series of articles will provide a better understanding of nutritional requirements, energy expenditure, nutrients metabolism, nutritional status, physical activity and exercise, and interventions that may improve patient care and treatment outcomes in kidney diseases.

We welcome manuscripts that discuss themes and questions that relate to metabolism and nutrition across kidney diseases, including but not limited to: chronic kidney disease, kidney failure, kidney replacement therapies, acute kidney injury, and kidney stones. We encourage the submission of Original Research, Reviews, Perspectives, or Commentaries on this topic.

This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive update on emerging topics related to kidney diseases.

Suggested topics include (but are not limited to):

• Chronic kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, kidney transplantation;

• Acute kidney injury;

• Energy and protein requirements;

• Low protein diet and very-low protein diets;

• Plant-based diets;

• Dietary patterns in kidney diseases;

• Assessment and management of malnutrition, protein-energy wasting, sarcopenia, frailty, and obesity in kidney diseases;

• Cardiovascular risk management in kidney diseases;

• Chronic kidney disease - mineral and bone disorder;

• Vitamin and micronutrients management in kidney diseases;

• Physical activity and exercise

• Quality of life improvement through lifestyle interventions in kidney diseases;

• The modulation of the gut microbiome in kidney diseases;

• Nephrolithiasis