Why oestrogen protects women’s kidneys from damage

Have you ever wondered why women, especially younger women, seem to have healthier kidneys compared to men? Scientists have been curious about this for a long time. Thanks to new research, we now have a better idea about why this happens, and it all comes down to a tiny molecule in our bodies called oestrogen.

Understanding acute kidney injury and why it matters

If your kidneys get hurt suddenly, it’s called acute kidney injury, or AKI. This can happen during serious illnesses or after taking certain medicines. Sadly, AKI is very common and can make people very sick. Doctors have noticed that women, especially those who haven’t gone through menopause, are less likely to get AKI and tend to recover better than men. But why?

Ferroptosis: The cell death behind kidney injury

Scientists have discovered a special way that cells can die, called ferroptosis. Unlike other types of cell death, ferroptosis happens when iron in the body causes fats in cells to rust, or oxidize, which damages and kills the cells. This process is especially important in kidney injury. Recent research has shown that stopping ferroptosis could help protect kidneys from damage. You can read more about this in a thorough review on the science behind ferroptosis and disease.

How oestrogen protects the kidneys

A new study led by Tonnus and colleagues and published in Nature (see the original research here) has revealed something fascinating: oestrogen, a hormone that’s higher in women before menopause, directly blocks ferroptosis in kidney cells. In their experiments, they found that oestrogen helps certain proteins protect cells from iron-related damage. When oestrogen levels are high, the kidneys are much less likely to get hurt during severe illness.

This explains why women, especially younger ones, have a natural shield against AKI. As women age and their oestrogen levels drop after menopause, this protection fades, and their risk for AKI increases to match men’s risk.

The science behind the discovery

The idea that oestrogen could guard against kidney damage is not entirely new, but the way it works—by stopping ferroptosis—is a major step forward in our understanding. The research team built on earlier work that identified how ferroptosis happens in the first place (read about how cells defend against ferroptosis). Together, these studies show that preventing ferroptosis could be a key to stopping kidney damage, especially in people at higher risk.

If you’re interested in how genetics can affect your health, you might also enjoy this SlothMD article about rare genetic conditions that change how the body processes sugars. While it’s a different topic, it’s another example of how tiny changes in our bodies can have a big impact on health.

What this means for patients and doctors

This discovery could lead to new ways to protect people from kidney injury, especially those who are at higher risk, like older adults or people taking strong medicines. In the future, scientists might develop drugs that mimic the effects of oestrogen or block ferroptosis directly to keep kidneys safe. This is especially exciting for the world of health AI, where tools like SlothMD are making it easier for doctors to personalize care for each patient.

For example, health AI is already helping doctors choose the best treatments for cancer patients based on their unique genes. If you want to learn more about how health AI is changing care for serious diseases, check out this SlothMD explainer on how AI is helping personalize ovarian cancer treatments.

The future of kidney health: hope on the horizon

While more research is needed before we see new medicines in clinics, the discovery that oestrogen protects against AKI by blocking ferroptosis is a big leap. It shows how understanding our biology can lead to better care. For now, doctors and researchers are hopeful that these findings will lead to new treatments to keep everyone’s kidneys healthier, no matter their age or gender.

Thanks to science and the smart use of health AI with platforms like SlothMD, the future of kidney care is looking brighter.