Subclinical metabolic and cardiovascular abnormalities in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most prevalent genetic kidney disease. It carries high lifetime morbidity not only due to chronic kidney disease, but also due to a higher risk of cardiovascular death. Multiple metabolic abnormalities associated with ADPKD including insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia as well as subclinical cardiovascular abnormalities, such as left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), contribute to this cardiovascular risk. These conditions may manifest before evidence of worsening estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Renal oxidative stress also occurs early in the disease and is a driver of ADPKD progression. Animal models have shown that calorie restriction may mitigate these inflammatory processes. Further research is required to show whether attenuation of metabolic abnormalities associated with ADPKD may improve renal and cardiovascular morbidity.