14/07/2026 14:59 - Salud
For a long time, modern medicine treated the kidneys and the heart as completely independent organs. However, an exciting new scientific breakthrough demonstrates that they are deeply connected, offering a beacon of hope for millions of patients around the globe.
Researchers from the University Hospital of Würzburg and the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Germany discovered that an excess of oxalic acid—a metabolic waste product naturally found in foods like spinach, nuts, and rhubarb that is normally eliminated through urine—can trigger an inflammatory response affecting not only the kidneys but also the heart.
When kidneys fail to function properly, this substance accumulates, forms microscopic crystals in the renal tissue, and severely overloads the immune system. According to the experts, this excess oxalate promotes the production of a specific protein called Interleukin-17A (IL-17A). This protein acts as an inflammatory messenger, ultimately and directly impacting cardiac health.
CKD is a condition where the kidneys gradually lose their ability to filter waste and excess fluids from the blood. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 788 and 850 million people live with this condition worldwide. It frequently progresses without clear symptoms until advanced stages, significantly increasing cardiovascular risk.
The scientific team found that by blocking the IL-17A molecule in animal models, several signs of the disease improved simultaneously. Kidney function recovered, inflammation and fibrosis decreased, and heart damage was notably reduced. This marks a milestone in the treatment of the cardiorenal axis.
The study, published on July 14, 2026, in the renowned journal Cardiovascular Research, marks a true paradigm shift. As the researcher Moritz Wimmer pointed out, oxalate can no longer be considered merely a locally damaging substance; it is now recognized as a systemic burden on the body's metabolism.
This breakthrough paves the way for new anti-inflammatory treatments that could anticipate and prevent cardiac risk in patients diagnosed with kidney conditions. The news, widely reported by international media and highlighted by the prominent Argentine news outlet Infobae, brings significantly improved quality of life and a much more encouraging outlook for patients globally.
Original source: Infobae
Alfredo S. Quiroga
