Novel kidney fats in cats could help explain kidney disease

A team from the University of Nottingham has identified unusual fat deposits in feline kidneys that may be linked to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, takes a closer look at these lipids and suggests they may be more important than previously thought.

More than a normal finding?

Fat droplets within kidney cells are commonly seen in cats and have generally been considered a normal or incidental finding. This study suggests we may need to rethink that.

When the researchers compared kidney samples from cats, dogs and wildcats, they found:

• Cats had more fat in their kidneys than dogs, at all ages
• The fats were chemically different, including unusual types of triglycerides
• These lipid patterns were mainly seen in domestic cats - they weren't present in canine samples and only occasionally in the wildcat samples

A possible role in CKD

In other species, fat build-up in organs can lead to cell stress and ongoing tissue damage. The authors suggest a similar process could be happening in cats, potentially contributing to CKD.

These lipid deposits were also present in younger cats, which raises the possibility that changes in the kidney start well before clinical disease is recognised.

What could this mean clinically?

It’s not yet clear whether these lipids are a cause of disease or a result of it. However, lead researcher Professor Gardner added: "We are hopeful that soon we will understand why these unusual fats accumulate in domestic cats - we just have to collect the evidence to find the proof.

If true, we believe we could develop a supplement or modified diet to help prevent these unusual lipid structures from accumulating, ultimately benefitting the long-term health of our companion animals."