Surreal digital illustration of a cat silhouette with microRNA constellations highlighting the kidneys.

Decoding Your Cat's Health: The Power of Urinary MicroRNAs

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlock early insights into your feline friend's well-being through cutting-edge research on urinary exosome-derived microRNAs."

Kidney disease (KD) is a growing concern in both human and veterinary medicine. For cat owners, this is particularly worrisome as felines are highly susceptible. Traditional methods of detection often come too late, highlighting the urgent need for innovative diagnostic tools that can catch the disease in its earliest stages.

Enter microRNAs (miRNAs), tiny molecules playing a big role in understanding and addressing health issues. These small non-coding RNAs are involved in gene regulation and are remarkably stable, making them ideal biomarkers. Recent studies have focused on urinary exosomes (UExos), nano-sized vesicles containing miRNAs that reflect the health status of the kidneys. By analyzing the miRNAs in UExos, scientists hope to gain earlier and more accurate insights into kidney function in cats.

A new study published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science explores the potential of UExo-derived miRNAs as indicators of renal function changes in cats. By examining the levels of specific miRNAs in the urine of cats with and without kidney disease, researchers have identified promising biomarker candidates that could revolutionize how we diagnose and manage feline KD. This article breaks down the key findings of this research and what it means for the future of feline health.

Unlocking the Secrets in Cat Urine: miRNAs as Early Detectors of Kidney Disease

Surreal digital illustration of a cat silhouette with microRNA constellations highlighting the kidneys.

The study, led by Osamu Ichii and colleagues, investigated UExo-derived miRNAs in cats to determine their potential as biomarkers for KD. The research team divided cats into two groups: those with normal renal function (NR) and those with KD. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS), they analyzed the miRNAs present in the UExos of these cats, comparing the levels of specific miRNAs between the two groups.

The researchers identified several miRNAs that showed significant changes in cats with KD. Key findings included:

Decreased Levels: UExo-derived let-7b, miR-22, and miR-26a were significantly decreased in cats with KD, even in the early stages of the disease.
Increased Levels: UExo-derived miR-21a levels were significantly higher in the KD group when normalized to urinary creatinine or total RNA.
Strong Correlation: The ratio of UExo-derived miR-21a to let-7b showed a strong correlation with serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urinary creatinine levels.

These findings suggest that these miRNAs could serve as early indicators of KD in cats, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and improved management of the disease. The study also found that the ratio of miR-181a to let-7b or miR-10b significantly correlated with the progression of renal dysfunction, further highlighting the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for monitoring disease severity.

The Future of Feline Kidney Disease Management

This research opens new avenues for diagnosing and monitoring kidney disease in cats. By using UExo-derived microRNAs, veterinarians may be able to detect KD earlier, track its progression more accurately, and tailor treatment plans to individual cats. While further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the clinical applications of miRNA biomarkers, this research offers a promising step forward in improving the health and well-being of our feline companions.

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This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00289, Alternate LINK

Title: Urinary Exosome-Derived Micrornas Reflecting The Changes In Renal Function In Cats

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Frontiers in Veterinary Science

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Authors: Osamu Ichii, Hiroshi Ohta, Taro Horino, Teppei Nakamura, Marina Hosotani, Tatsuya Mizoguchi, Keitaro Morishita, Kensuke Nakamura, Noboru Sasaki, Mitsuyoshi Takiguchi, Ryo Sato, Kazuhisa Oyamada, Yaser Hosny Ali Elewa, Yasuhiro Kon

Published: 2018-11-20

Everything You Need To Know

How do urinary exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) provide insights into a cat's kidney health?

The study utilized urinary exosomes (UExos), which are nano-sized vesicles found in cat urine. These UExos contain microRNAs (miRNAs) that offer insights into the health status of the kidneys. By analyzing the levels of specific miRNAs within these UExos using next-generation sequencing (NGS), researchers can identify changes indicative of kidney disease (KD). This non-invasive method allows for early detection and monitoring of renal function changes in cats. The absence of UExos and next generation sequencing would eliminate the potential to look at the mircoRNAs.

What specific changes in microRNA (miRNA) levels were observed in cats with kidney disease (KD) compared to those with normal renal function?

The research identified specific microRNAs (miRNAs) that show significant changes in cats with kidney disease (KD). UExo-derived let-7b, miR-22, and miR-26a were found to be decreased in cats with KD, while UExo-derived miR-21a levels were significantly higher. Furthermore, the ratio of UExo-derived miR-21a to let-7b correlated strongly with serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and urinary creatinine levels, making them potential early indicators of KD in cats. Without these specific microRNA's the research would be difficult to correlate and highlight progression.

Why is early detection of kidney disease (KD) crucial for cats, and how can urinary microRNAs (miRNAs) help in this regard?

Traditional methods often detect kidney disease (KD) in felines too late, highlighting the necessity for innovative tools. Analyzing urinary exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) offers a promising approach for earlier and more accurate detection. By identifying specific miRNAs associated with KD, veterinarians may be able to intervene sooner, manage the disease more effectively, and ultimately improve the health and well-being of cats. Not having microRNA's would limit the possibility for early detection and treatment.

What are the key findings of the study regarding the correlation between specific microRNAs (miRNAs) and the progression of kidney disease (KD) in cats?

The study, led by Osamu Ichii and colleagues, demonstrated that specific microRNAs (miRNAs) found in urinary exosomes (UExos) could serve as biomarkers for kidney disease (KD) in cats. The ratio of miR-181a to let-7b or miR-10b significantly correlated with the progression of renal dysfunction, indicating their potential for monitoring disease severity. This research offers a promising step towards improving feline health and well-being by enabling earlier detection and tailored treatment plans.

How can this research on urinary exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) improve the management and treatment of kidney disease (KD) in cats, and what are the potential long-term benefits for feline health?

This research allows veterinarians to detect kidney disease (KD) earlier, monitor its progression more accurately, and tailor treatment plans to individual cats. The identification of specific urinary exosome-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for KD opens new avenues for diagnosing and managing this condition. Early detection and personalized treatment strategies can significantly improve the quality of life and overall health outcomes for feline companions. However, further studies are needed to validate these findings and explore the clinical applications of miRNA biomarkers in veterinary practice.