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A gradual decline in renal function occurs even in healthy aging individuals. In addition to aging, per se, concurrent metabolic syndrome and hypertension, which are common in the aging population, can induce mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation, which collectively contribute to age-related kidney dysfunction and disease. This study examined the role of the nuclear hormone receptors, the estrogen-related receptors (ERRs), in regulation of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. The ERRs were decreased in both aging human and mouse kidneys and were preserved in aging mice with lifelong caloric restriction (CR). A pan-ERR agonist, SLU-PP-332, was used to treat 21-month-old mice for 8-weeks. In addition, 21-month-old mice were treated with a STING inhibitor, C-176, for 3 weeks. Remarkably, similar to CR, only an 8-week treatment with a pan-ERR agonist reversed the age-related increases in albuminuria, podocyte loss, mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammatory cytokines, via the cGAS-STING and STAT3 signaling pathways. A 3-week treatment of 21-month-old mice with a STING inhibitor reversed the increases in inflammatory cytokines and the senescence marker, p21/Cdkn1a, but also unexpectedly reversed the age-related decreases in PGC-1α, ERRα, mitochondrial complexes and MCAD expression. These studies identified ERRs as CR mimetics and as important modulators of age-related mitochondrial dysfunction and inflammation. These findings highlight novel druggable pathways that can be further evaluated to prevent progression of age-related kidney disease.

Large melting point depressions for organic nanocrystals, in comparison with those of the bulk, were observed in an associative polymer: telechelic, pyrene‐labeled poly(dimethylsiloxane) (Py‐PDMS‐Py). Nanocrystals formed within nanoaggregates of pyrenyl units that were immiscible in poly(dimethylsiloxane). For 5 and 7 kg/mol Py‐PDMS‐Py, physical gels resulted, with melting points exceeding 40 °C and with small‐angle X‐ray scattering peaks indicating that the crystals were nanoconfined, were 2–3 nm long, and contained roughly 18–30 pyrenyl dye end units. In contrast, 30 kg/mol Py‐PDMS‐PY was not a gel and exhibited no scattering peak at room temperature; however, after 12 h of annealing at −5 °C, multiple melting peaks were present at 5–30 °C. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 3470–3475, 2004

Both obesity and chronic kidney disease are increasingly common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although obesity often coexists with diabetes and hypertension, it has become clear over the past several decades that obesity is an independent cause of chronic kidney disease, termed obesity-related glomerulopathy. The purpose of this review is to define the attributes of obesity-related glomerulopathy, and to describe potential pharmacological interventions. Interventions discussed include peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, the farnesoid X receptor, the Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5, and the vitamin D receptor.

The article reviews the motion picture "Heist," starring Gene Hackman, Danny DeVito and Delroy Lindo.