Personal Computers : Risk Factors for Renal Failure

Abstract

Kidneys perform various biological functions in the human body, and hence, they are called multitalented powerhouses in our physiological system. Increased blood flow, occurrence of metabolizing enzymes, and transport proteins are important factors enhancing the sensitivity of the kidney. In this context, the kidney is an important candidate organ for the evaluation of the adverse effects of environmental chemicals. Although kidneys reside in the abdominal cavity and are protected by other tissues, they still behave like security forces working at the border of a country facing the onslaughts of external agents.With reference to its structure, the kidney is a complicated organ, comprising various cell types and having a neatly designed three-dimensional organization. Due to this complexity, the intact kidney is difficult to use for an adequate study of many biochemical, pharmacological and physiological processes. Renal proximal tubule cells derived from primary cultures have been considered an appropriate model for the study of either proximal tubule cell function or renal intact function. Culturing of renal proximal tubule cells derived from primary culture is a critical issue in renal research. The newly designed protocol of Gowder and McMartin will provide an appropriate method to grow good quality renal proximal tubule cells to evaluate toxicity and transport properties of drugs/chemicals.( 1) Since reductionism (Einsteinian theory) dominates over the holism (Newtonian theory) in personal medicine, investigation of cells will provide more compromising results than that of whole individuals.(2) Kidney damage has been considered to be a major public health hazard in recent years. Common lifestyle diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and infectious diseases, are significant causes of renal failure. Sugar-sweetened beverages, food additives, sodium, drugs, toxins, and smoking cause renal failure.(3-7)