Extensive overview of glormerulonephritis kidney disease: prevalent pathologies and treatments
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
This review hopes to highlight the current events of glomerulonephritis, specifically what
is known, the contributing factors, and current treatments that are being explored.
Glomerulonephritis is a renal disease that is a result of a damaged glomerular filtration barrier.
This damage can be caused by mutation in genes responsible for renal cell integrity or through a
hyperactive immune response, which can manifest through genetic mutations that directly affect
the immune system, or when the body is experiencing serious infection. Because of this,
immunoglobulins begin to deposit into the renal tissues and necrose. The necrosing tissues release
reactive oxygen species and cytokines that damage the filtration barrier and the tissues around it.
As a result, blood and protein enter the urine. Some research has inferred that the passing of
protein and blood into the urine can exacerbate the symptoms further, leading to end stage kidney
disease and renal failure. Due to the recent attention glomerulonephritis has been getting,
knowledge of treatment is very limited and lacks significant results. However, with the current
knowledge of glomerulonephritis, treatment revolves around prevention of progressing into end
stage kidney disease, managing symptoms, and regression, with regression being the highest
priority in any treatment outcome.