Pathophysiology of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), a general term for heterogeneous disorders, frequently occurs in association with a variety of factors including diabetes, nephritis, hypertension, and immune system disorder. As the etiologically distinct cause progresses, a common renal pathological manifestation including glomerulosclerosis and/or interstitial fibrosis develops regardless of the cause. Over the past several years, rapid progress in deciphering the cellular and molecular mechanisms have led to better understanding of pathophysiology of CKD and would make it possible to develop clinically effective anti-CKD therapies. This chapter summarizes and updates the pathophysiological knowledge of CKD from animal models and human studies, providing new insights into the complicated process of CKD.