Research on the correlation between the renal resistive index, renal microvessel density, and fibrosis

Background This study was designed to investigate the relationship between the renal resistive index (RRI), renal microvessel density (RMD), and fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods A total of 73 CKD patients were included in the study. Prior to kidney biopsy, we recorded the RRI of the interlobar artery and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to assess CD34 expression, and Masson staining was used to evaluate histopathological specimens for RMD and the degree of fibrosis. The percentage of the positive area (PPA) was recorded. Subsequently, we investigated the correlation between RRI, RMD, and kidney fibrosis.Results RMD (CD34 PPA-total and CD34 PPA-peritubular capillary) showed a slight increase in early CKD stages (1-2) and gradually declined from CKD stages 2 to 5. No correlation was observed between the RRI and RMD or between the RRI and fibrosis across CKD stages 1 to 5. However, across CKD stages 2 to 5, RRI negatively correlated with CD34 PPA-glomerulus (r = -0.353, p = 0.022), but no correlation was found with CD34 PPA-total, CD34 PPA-peritubular capillary, or kidney fibrosis. eGFR showed a positive correlation with RMD (CD34 PPA-total, CD34 PPA-peritubular capillary, and CD34 PPA-glomerulus) across CKD stages 2 to 5, while no correlation was found from CKD stages 1 to 5.Conclusion There was no correlation between RRI and RMD or between RRI and fibrosis across CKD stages 1 to 5 (RRI <= 0.7).

Automated summary

This study revealed that there was no correlation between renal resistive index (RRI) and renal microvessel density (RMD) or between RRI and fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, in CKD stages 2 to 5, RRI was negatively correlated with CD34 positive area in the glomerulus, but no correlation was found with CD34 positive area overall, CD34 positive area in the peritubular capillary, or kidney fibrosis. Furthermore, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) showed a positive correlation with RMD.