Review on Kidney-Liver Crosstalk: Pathophysiology of Their Disorders

Abstract

Kidney-liver crosstalk plays a crucial role in normal and certain pathological conditions. In pathologic states, bothrenal-induced liver damage and liver-induced kidney diseases may happen through these kidney-liver interactions.This bidirectional crosstalk takes place through the systemic conditions that mutually influence both the liver andkidneys. Ischemia and reperfusion, cytokine release and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, metabolic acidosis,oxidative stress, and altered enzyme activity and metabolic pathways establish the base of this interaction betweenthe kidneys and liver. In these concomitant kidney-liver diseases, the survival rates strongly correlate with earlyintervention and treatment of organ dysfunction. Proper care of a nephrologist and hepatologist and the identificationof pathological conditions using biomarkers at early stages are necessary to prevent the complications induced by thiscomplex and potentially vicious cycle. Therefore, understanding the characteristics of this crosstalk is essential forbetter management. In this review, we discussed the available literature concerning the detrimental effects of kidneyfailure on liver functions and liver-induced kidney diseases.

Keywords

• cirrhosis
• hepatitis
• liver failure
• nephropathy
• renal failure