Published online May 15, 2021. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v12.i5.524
Peer-review started: January 25, 2021
First decision: February 25, 2021
Revised: March 31, 2021
Accepted: April 26, 2021
Article in press: April 26, 2021
Published online: May 15, 2021
Lipid dysmetabolism is one of the main features of diabetes mellitus and manifests by dyslipidemia as well as the ectopic accumulation of lipids in various tissues and organs, including the kidney. Research suggests that impaired cholesterol metabolism, increased lipid uptake or synthesis, increased fatty acid oxidation, lipid droplet accumulation and an imbalance in biologically active sphingolipids (such as ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate and sphingosine-1-phosphate) contribute to the development of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). Currently, the literature suggests that both quality and quantity of lipids are associated with DKD and contribute to increased reactive oxygen species production, oxidative stress, inflammation, or cell death. Therefore, control of renal lipid dysmetabolism is a very important therapeutic goal, which needs to be archived. This article will review some of the recent advances leading to a better understanding of the mechanisms of dyslipidemia and the role of particular lipids and sphingolipids in DKD.
Core Tip: The present review summarizes the recent knowledge about the role of lipids and sphingolipids in the development and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The main focus is given to the cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism abnormalities, lipid droplet accumulation and role of sphingolipids in DKD.