A Review on the Role of Metabolomics in Kidney Disease: Current Applications and Future Perspectives
Journal of Pediatric Nephrology,
Vol. 12 No. 1 (2024),
10 April 2025
https://doi.org/10.22037/jpn.v12i1.49100
Abstract
transplantation complications, and nephrolithiasis, pose significant global health challenges.
Current diagnostic tools often detect the disease at advanced stages, limiting opportunities for
early intervention. This narrative review evaluated the role of metabolomics in enhancing the
understanding, diagnosis, and management of major kidney disorders, drawing exclusively
on recent peer-reviewed studies. The review synthesized findings from comprehensive urine
and plasma metabolomic analyses using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass
spectrometry (MS) platforms in pediatric and adult patients across multiple kidney settings.
Metabolomics reveals disease-specific metabolic signatures, enabling the early detection of
renal injury, differentiation between disease subtypes, and prediction of outcomes. In CKD,
altered profiles of amino acids, energy metabolites, and gut-derived compounds correlate
with disease progression. In AKI, early fluctuations in citrate, branched-chain amino acids,
and bile acids demonstrate diagnostic and prognostic potential. In kidney transplantation,
metabolomics aids in the detection of acute rejection and drug-induced toxicity. For
nephrolithiasis, changes in oxalate and citrate metabolism reveal insights into gut-kidney
axis interactions. The integration of metabolomics with other omics (genomics, proteomics,
and microbiomics) enhances mechanistic understanding and supports the development of
precision nephrology. Metabolomics is redefining kidney disease evaluation by providing
sensitive, real-time, and non-invasive insights into renal pathophysiology. Continued
advances in analytics, data integration, and clinical validation will be essential for translating
these findings into personalized nephrology practice.
- Metabolomics
- Kidney disease
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
- Acute kidney injury (AKI)
- Transplantation
How to Cite
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