Kidney Week

Abstract: FR-PO1114

Hemodialysis Intensifies NLRP3 Inflammasome Expression and Oxidative Stress in CKD

Session Information

• Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism
  November 07, 2025 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

• 1500 Health Maintenance, Nutrition, and Metabolism

Authors

• Mafra, Denise, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Denise Mafra, PhD

• Ribeiro, Marcia Maria, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Marcia Maria Ribeiro, PhD

• Cardozo, Ludmila F.M.F., Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Ludmila F.M.F. Cardozo, PhD

• Coutinho-Wolino, Karen Salve, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil

Karen Salve Coutinho-Wolino

• Ribeiro-Alves, Marcelo, Fundacao Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

Marcelo Ribeiro-Alves

Background

Chronic inflammation drives chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression with the NLRP3 inflammasome as a key mediator.

Methods

This cross-sectional study evaluated the expression of NLRP3 in patients with CKD undergoing different treatments. 32 non-dialysis (ND) patients [63 (11.2) years, estimated glomerular filtration rate, 43.5 (22.0) mL/min, BMI, 29.5 (10.0) Kg/m²)], 50 hemodialysis (HD) patients [48.5 (16.5) years, 60.5 (50) months on HD, BMI, 24.2 (4.9) Kg/m²)], and eight peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients [56.5 (8.5) years, 40.5 (41.2) months on PD, BMI, 28.8 (2.6) Kg/m²)] were recruited. The mRNA expression level of NLRP3 was measured and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also assessed.

Results

The mRNA level of NLRP3 was 23.86% higher in HD patients (Log2FC=0.3; p<0.0001) and 2.38% lower in PD patients (Log2FC=0.03; p=0.01) compared to ND after adjusting for confounding variables (Figure 1A). Furthermore, MDA plasma levels were 70.17% higher in HD patients (Log2FC = 0.77; p < 0.0001) and 20.46% higher in PD patients (p = 0.01) compared to ND (Figure 1B), even after adjustments. A positive correlation was also found between the mRNA level of NLRP3 and MDA plasma levels (rho=0.26, p=0.01), after adjustments (Figure 2).

Conclusion

The NLRP3 inflammasome is upregulated in HD patients, and the results suggested that the inflammasome may be associated with oxidative stress in patients with CKD.

Box and strip plots show distributions. Central circles indicate mean marginal effects from a fixed-effects linear model adjusted for confounders

Correlation between MDA levels and NLRP3 mRNA expressions.

Funding

• Government Support – Non-U.S.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• doi: 10.1681/ASN.2025w6mvtj5c