July 2025 CKD Insider Newsletter
- one track health
- Jul 31
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 2
Welcome to the Chronic Kidney Disease Insider Newsletter. If you are living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, have had a kidney transplant or are helping care for someone who is, this newsletter was created for you! The CKD Insider Newsletter provides actionable information for you and your family to help you manage your health in consultation with your doctor.
In this month’s CKD Insider:
Latest News from Kidney Organizations
AAKP All Kidney Policy is Local™ Campaign
This summer, the American Association for Kidney Patients (AAKP) is launching its All Kidney Policy is Local™ campaign to encourage people living with kidney disease—and their supporters—to speak up about how federal policies affect their care. Lawmakers often don’t see how their decisions impact real lives for their constituents, so sharing your story can make a big difference. AAKP urges patients to contact their members of Congress by visiting a local office, calling their offices, or using the AAKP Action Center to send a letter. Every voice matters in protecting care choices and kidney health.
If you’re interested in joining the campaign, reach out to Jerome Bailey at jbailey@aakp.org and let the AAKP know you’d like to participate.
Renal Support Network (RSN) Kidney Talk Virtual Event
The Renal Support Network (RSN) is hosting a virtual event where you can connect with your peers, learn tips for your kidney care, and have a chance to win raffle prizes.
Date: Sunday, August 17, 2025
Time: 12 PM - 2:30 PM PDT
Register here
Fun Tip: Finding the Sweet Spot: Staying Hydrated (But Not Overdoing It) with Kidney Disease in the Summer Heat
This summer has been one for the record books—temperatures are soaring, and the heat can be relentless. For most people, the advice is simple: drink more water. But if you’re living with kidney disease, the story isn’t quite that straightforward.
Your kidneys may not be able to clear extra fluid as they should, which means drinking too much can lead to swelling, high blood pressure, heart issues, and even tougher dialysis treatments. On the flip side, the summer sun puts you at risk of dehydration if you’re not careful.
So, how do you find that sweet spot between staying cool and avoiding fluid overload?
5 Tips to Stay Hydrated—But Not Too Hydrated
1️⃣Skip the salty snacks.
Chips, pretzels, and other salty treats can make you thirsty fast. That extra thirst often means extra fluids—which can lead to problems. Instead, opt for unsalted or low-salt options when you’re craving a crunch.
2️⃣ Sip slowly, and use smaller cups.
Pour your drinks into smaller cups or glasses and take your time sipping. It’s an easy way to slow down how much you’re drinking and keep better track of your daily intake.
3️⃣ Freeze fruit for a refreshing treat.
Instead of reaching for a store-bought popsicle (loaded with sugar), freeze slices of fruit or even 100% fruit juice into ice pops. You’ll cool off, enjoy something sweet, and skip the sugar overload.
4️⃣ Chew gum or suck on sugar-free sour candy.
Sometimes your mouth just feels dry—even if you don’t need more fluids. Sugar-free gum, mints, or even a slice of lemon can stimulate saliva, helping your mouth feel moist without extra drinking.
5️⃣ Ask your doctor if your meds cause dry mouth.
Some medications can make you extra thirsty. If you’re constantly reaching for water, check with your doctor or pharmacist—there might be an alternative with fewer dry-mouth side effects.
Staying hydrated in the summer when you have kidney disease is all about balance—not too much, not too little. By making small adjustments like skipping salty foods and savoring smaller sips, you can stay cool and safe all season long. And don't forget to not stay out in the sun during the hottest part of the day (10am - 2pm)!
Researchers Identify an Important Autoimmune Factor in Pediatric Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome
What it is: Researchers have discovered a new autoimmune factor involved in idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), a serious kidney disease in children. They found that many affected children have antibodies that mistakenly target a kidney protein called vinculin, an important protein for maintaining kidney structure.
Why it’s important: These antibodies were highest during illness and dropped when kids got better, suggesting they could help doctors diagnose and track the disease. Preclinical studies have confirmed that the antibodies can cause kidney damage, pointing to a possible new target for future treatments.
To read more, click here. Original article: Meng, H., et al. (2025). Autoantibodies Targeting Vinculin Reveal Novel Insight into the Mechanisms of Autoimmune Podocytopathies. Research. doi.org/10.34133/research.0722.
Clinical Trial Recruiting: Study Uses Non-Invasive Imaging to Better Understand Kidney Disease
What it is: Researchers at the University of Chicago are using non-invasive imaging called functional MRI (fMRI) to better understand kidney disease and how it progresses over time. The goal is to find better treatments for kidney disease.
This research is part of a larger clinical trial called the Kidney Precision Medicine Project (KPMP). The KPMP is collecting kidney tissue samples (biopsies) from people with acute or chronic kidney disease. By studying many of these samples, researchers hope to discover more about how kidney disease works, determine how to classify groups of patients to match the best course of treatment with each patient, and use this information to identify new ways to treat kidney disease.
Want to Take Part?
The KPMP is still looking for participants. They are currently recruiting people at research sites in Texas, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. If you're interested in learning more or want to see if there's a location near you, click here.
Recent clinical trial results show new approach to eliminate need for immunosuppresive drugs for kidney transplant recipients.
What it is: A Clinical Trial that was completed last year at the University of Wisconsin and other locations around the United States tested a new approach to avoid organ rejection. They collected stem cells from the kidney donor and used them to reprogram the recipient’s immune cells so that they would accept the donor organ without the need for long-term immunosuppressive drugs. The results were recently published in the American Journal of Transplantation and showed that 19 of the 20 participants were able to end immunosuppressive drugs one year after surgery, with 15 of those being symptom-free at the end of the study (at least two years after ending treatment).
Why it’s important: Long-term immunosuppression – required for kidney transplant recipients – puts patients at an increased risk of infection, as well as an elevated risk of other conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. This approach allows transplant recipients to eliminate the need for lifelong immunosuppression. If you are a kidney transplant recipient speak to your nephrologist and ask them about this trial to see if this is an option for you.
If you’d like to hear what those patients are doing today, click here, here, and here.
Research News: New Tool to Improve Donor-Recipient Matching
What it is: Before a kidney transplant, doctors check if the donor and recipient are a good match by testing something called human leukocyte antigens or HLA—proteins that help the immune system tell which cells belong to the body and which don't. If the match isn't close enough, the recipient’s immune system may see the new organ as foreign and attack it, leading to kidney damage or rejection. Now, scientists have found a new marker that could help predict whether a transplant will succeed: a receptor found on monocytes (a type of innate immune cell) called SIRP-alpha.
Why it’s important: The addition of SIRP-alpha testing to supplement current HLA testing could lead to better matching between donors and recipients and help reduce the risk of organ rejection. The research was recently published in Science Translational Medicine. If you are considering getting a kidney transplant speak with your nephrologist and learn more below.
For more information, click here.
If you know someone who could use this kind of support, please share this newsletter with them—it might be just what they need.
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