Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Urine kidney injury molecule-1 levels in cats with chronic kidney
By Kornya, Matthew et al.·Published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·2025·Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada, Canada·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of urinary kidney injury molecule-1 in cats with chronic kidney disease
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had their urine tested for a substance called kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) to see if it could help understand their condition better. The study found that the KIM-1 levels in these cats were similar to those in healthy cats, and there was a moderate link between KIM-1 levels and urine concentration. This means that while KIM-1 might not show significant differences across the stages of CKD, tracking it over time could provide useful information for managing the disease.
People also search for: cat chronic kidney disease symptoms · cat urine test for kidney disease · what does KIM-1 mean in cats
Abstract
Objectives Kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein on proximal renal tubular epithelial cells that is increased in the urine of cats with acute kidney injury. The utility of measuring urine KIM-1 in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the relationship with International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stage are unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine the distribution of KIM-1 concentrations in cats with different stages of CKD and investigate the relationship between urine KIM-1 and urine specific gravity (USG), urine protein and serum urea, creatinine, phosphorus, potassium and symmetric dimethylarginine concentrations. Methods A total of 74 cats with CKD were recruited prospectively from a first-opinion feline-only practice. Blood and urine samples were collected from all cats. The stage of CKD was determined as per IRIS guidelines. Urine KIM-1 concentration was determined with a previously validated lateral flow assay. KIM-1 was reported as a test:control ratio. The distribution of KIM-1 values in cats with CKD was determined, and the correlation between KIM-1 and other determinants of renal function was calculated. Urine KIM-1 was normalized to a USG of 1.035 and the analysis was repeated. Results Cats with CKD had a median urine KIM-1 value of 0.1544 (range 0.038–0.540). The median KIM-1 values in cats with IRIS stage 1, 2, 3 and 4 CKD were 0.152 (range 0.113–0.512), 0.165 (range 0.038–0.540), 0.150 (range 0.037–0.448) and 0.140 (range 0.067–0.448), respectively. There were no differences in urine KIM-1 values relative to IRIS stage. Urine KIM-1 values were correlated with USG ( r 2 = 0.482; P = 0.005). An analysis of KIM-1 values normalized to USG resulted in similar findings. Conclusions and relevance Urine KIM-1 values in cats with CKD were similar to those previously described in healthy cats. There was a moderately strong correlation between urine KIM-1 concentration and USG. Sequential measurement of KIM-1 in cats with progressive CKD may be informative.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x251314778