Symbolic representation of metabolic syndrome affecting kidney blood flow.

Metabolic Syndrome and Kidney Health: What You Need to Know

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Does metabolic syndrome's impact on blood flow affect kidney collateral circulation? A new study explores the connection."

Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions including increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels, is a growing concern worldwide. While its effects on cardiovascular health are well-documented, its impact on kidney health, particularly in the presence of renal artery stenosis (RAS), is an area of ongoing research.

Renal artery stenosis, a narrowing of the arteries carrying blood to the kidneys, can lead to decreased blood supply and subsequent kidney damage. To compensate, the body may develop collateral circulation, creating new pathways for blood to reach the affected kidney. However, the effectiveness of this process can be influenced by factors like obesity and metabolic syndrome.

This article delves into a recent study investigating whether metabolic syndrome affects the development of collateral circulation in kidneys experiencing RAS. By understanding this complex interaction, we can gain insights into how to protect kidney function in individuals with metabolic syndrome and RAS.

Metabolic Syndrome's Impact on Kidney Blood Flow: The Study's Findings

Symbolic representation of metabolic syndrome affecting kidney blood flow.

A study published in the American Journal of Hypertension explored the link between metabolic syndrome and renal collateral circulation using a swine model of unilateral RAS. The researchers aimed to determine if metabolic syndrome enhances collateral vessel growth, thereby preserving renal function. Here's a breakdown of their approach and key findings:

The research team investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) on collateral circulation in post-stenotic kidneys. They divided twenty-one domestic pigs into three groups:

MetS-RAS: Fed a high-fat/high-fructose diet to induce metabolic syndrome, along with unilateral RAS.
RAS: Fed a standard diet with unilateral RAS.
Control: Fed a standard diet with no RAS.

After ten weeks, several assessments were made including:

Renal blood flow (RBF) and glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
Collateral circulation around the renal artery
Intrarenal microcirculation
Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)
Renal fibrosis and stiffness

Protecting Your Kidneys: Key Takeaways

While the study suggests that metabolic syndrome doesn't necessarily hinder collateral vessel formation in the stenotic kidney, it's important to recognize the broader implications for kidney health. The researchers found that even with preserved renal blood flow, metabolic syndrome aggravated renal injury distal to the stenosis.

This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to managing metabolic syndrome, including lifestyle modifications and medical interventions to address the underlying risk factors. Focusing on healthy eating habits, regular exercise, and weight management can significantly impact overall kidney health.

Ultimately, further research is needed to fully understand the intricate relationship between metabolic syndrome and kidney function. However, this study underscores the importance of proactive kidney care in individuals with metabolic syndrome, emphasizing early detection, intervention, and ongoing management to preserve long-term renal health.

About this Article -

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: 10.1093/ajh/hpy127, Alternate LINK

Title: The Metabolic Syndrome Does Not Affect Development Of Collateral Circulation In The Poststenotic Swine Kidney

Subject: Internal Medicine

Journal: American Journal of Hypertension

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Authors: Xin Zhang, Seo Rin Kim, Christopher M Ferguson, Behzad Ebrahimi, Ahmad F Hedayat, Amir Lerman, Lilach O Lerman

Published: 2018-08-09

Everything You Need To Know

What is Metabolic Syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of health issues including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels. These conditions often occur together and increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and now, as research suggests, kidney problems. In the context of kidney health, it is essential to understand that Metabolic Syndrome can worsen kidney function, especially when paired with conditions like Renal Artery Stenosis. It is important to understand Metabolic Syndrome to properly manage health.

What is Renal Artery Stenosis and why is it important?

Renal Artery Stenosis, or RAS, is the narrowing of the renal arteries, which supply blood to the kidneys. This narrowing restricts blood flow, potentially leading to kidney damage due to lack of oxygen and nutrients. The body attempts to compensate by developing collateral circulation, which means creating new blood vessels to bypass the blockage and deliver blood to the kidney. The effectiveness of this collateral circulation is a key factor in preserving kidney function in the presence of RAS.

What was the study's approach to investigating Metabolic Syndrome's effects?

A study was conducted using a swine model of unilateral RAS. Three groups of pigs were used: one with Metabolic Syndrome and RAS (MetS-RAS), one with RAS only, and a control group. Researchers examined renal blood flow, glomerular filtration rate, collateral circulation, intrarenal microcirculation, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and renal fibrosis and stiffness in all groups. The MetS-RAS group was fed a high-fat/high-fructose diet to induce Metabolic Syndrome, whereas the RAS and control groups were fed a standard diet.

What were the key findings of the study regarding Metabolic Syndrome and kidney health?

The study found that while Metabolic Syndrome did not impair the formation of new blood vessels, it significantly worsened the damage to the kidney. Even with preserved blood flow, the pigs with both Metabolic Syndrome and Renal Artery Stenosis showed more kidney injury compared to those with RAS alone. This highlights the complex interaction between Metabolic Syndrome and kidney health, even when blood flow is maintained.

What are the implications of this research for individuals with kidney issues and Metabolic Syndrome?

The implications of these findings are significant for individuals with Metabolic Syndrome and Renal Artery Stenosis. While maintaining blood flow through collateral circulation is important, managing Metabolic Syndrome is equally critical. Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight can help protect the kidneys. These findings suggest that managing Metabolic Syndrome could be key in slowing the progression of kidney damage in individuals with RAS.