Kidney disease
Education on Kidney disease and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin research from the Mark Egly Foundation, with patent claims clearly labeled as hypothesis.
Research hypothesis, not medical advice
The connections described on this page come from Mark Egly's patent filing and ongoing research. They are not established medical facts. Always work with your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Research hypothesis. The connection between Kidney disease and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin is described in Mark Egly's 2020 patent filing. This is not established medical fact and is not medical advice. Always talk with your doctor about your own health.
What is Kidney disease?
Kidney disease is a health condition discussed in Mark Egly's research on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin. Renal conditions affect the kidneys and how the body filters waste.
What Mark Egly's patent discusses
Kidney disease can lead to the loss of renal function over time, later leading to end stage renal disease, the final stage of chronic kidney disease. Known causes of kidney disease include congenital defects of the kidney, cystic kidney disease, cystic disease, diabetes, glomerular disease, hypertension, tubule interstitial disease, unrecovered acute kidney injury, urinary tract obstruction and/or dysfunction, recurrent kidney stone disease, and vascular disease. Many of these issues can be traced to excess neutrophils and neutrophil elastase ("NE") in the body. End-stage renal disease and chronic kidney disease are characterized by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. As demonstrated by Bronze-da-Rocha and Santos Silva, NE inhibitors such as AAT may play a role in predicting or preventing inflammation. Kidney stones are hard, crystalline mineral materials formed within the kidneys or the urinary tract. Kidney stones form when there is a decrease in urine volume and/or an excess of stone-forming substances in the urine. Many kidney stones pass on their own over time; however, pain medications, medications to help with the passage of urine, and sometimes surgical procedures a…
How this may relate to Alpha-1
Mark Egly's patent proposes that when the body has too little working Alpha-1 Antitrypsin, or when neutrophils release too much neutrophil elastase, inflammation and tissue damage may worsen. For Kidney disease, the patent suggests that testing for AATD or low circulating AAT could help guide care. This is a research hypothesis, not a proven treatment path for everyone with this condition.
What you can do
If you or a family member lives with Kidney disease, consider learning about Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency and discussing AAT testing with your healthcare team. The Mark Egly Foundation offers education and community support: