Regenerative Medicine in Nephrology
Currently, regenerative medicine is the most promising area, often considered as the future of medicine. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life-threatening condition characterized by high mortality. The increasing number of patients with AKI is a very significant problem for the public in societies around the world. Although AKI is often a reversible process, it progresses to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Therefore, it is very important to find methods preventing chronization. As
there is no effective treatment at the moment, regenerative medicine is a very promising area that can offer other medical solutions. Stem cells are a potential way of treating kidney damage. A considerable number of studies have already been carried out to evaluate the effect of stem cells on AKI, but their influence on chronization has not been investigated well. This review presents the latest knowledge on nephrogenesis, various types of stem cells, transplantation methods and mechanisms in animal studies.
Correspondence to A. Gryguc Nephrology Department, Hospital of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences Kaunas Clinics, Eivenių 2A, Kaunas 50009, Lithuania E-mail: agne.gryguc@gmail.com