Researchers at the University of Freiburg, in Germany, tried to find better markers of kidney function that could detect kidney disease much sooner. They measured concentrations of nearly 500 metabolites in several thousand individuals.
Six metabolites showed a strong correlation with kidney function, and two specifically revealed to be good measures of kidney function.
Lead researcher, Anna Köttgen, M.D., said, “These markers therefore represent promising candidates to further improve the estimation of kidney function by combining them with information on creatinine concentrations. This will facilitate an improved diagnosis of CKD, enabling treatment and prevention of complications.”
The markers are called pseudouridine and C-mannosyltryptophan. The results of the study could potentially help doctors better monitor kidney patients.
The findings were published in the American Society of Nephrology.