Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to methods and compositions for diagnosis, monitoring, classifying, staging and determination of treatment regimens in subjects with or at risk of kidney disease and/or all-cause mortality by determining the level of an amino acid or nucleic acid in a biological fluid, such as urine. In certain aspects the subjects are diagnosed with diabetes (or other underlying risk factor for kidney disease such as hypertension) and have normal levels of urine albumin. Additionally, disclosed herein are methods of treating a condition of fibrosis by inhibiting production or function of adenine.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of identifying subjects likely to develop diabetes-associated damage to the nephron, or subjects in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. In particular, several embodiments relate to quantification of diabetic nephropathy-associated RNA isolated from vesicles from patient urine samples is performed to compare a subject to a population having normal nephron function and/or to track progression of diabetic nephropathy in said subject over time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of identifying subjects likely to develop diabetes-associated damage to the nephron, or subjects in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. In particular, several embodiments relate to quantification of diabetic nephropathy-associated markers by isolating RNA isolated from vesicles from patient urine samples. The levels of the marker in a subject can be compared to levels in a population having normal nephron function and/or used to to track progression of diabetic nephropathy in said subject over time.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to methods for identifying the presence of kidney disease, determining the level of kidney disease, or the progression of kidney disease, in a subject that has or has not been diagnosed with diabetes. The technology further relates to methods for determining the targets for therapy for kidney disease, the efficacy of a treatment for kidney disease, and methods for determining the toxicity of a therapeutic in a subject with kidney disease. The technology relates in part to methods for identifying the presence of kidney disease, determining the level of kidney disease, or the progression of kidney disease, in a subject that has or has not been diagnosed with diabetes. The technology further relates to methods for determining the targets for therapy for kidney disease, the efficacy of a treatment for kidney disease, and methods for determining the toxicity of a therapeutic in a subject with kidney disease.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate generally to methods of identifying subjects likely to develop diabetes-associated damage to the nephron, or subjects in the early stages of diabetic nephropathy. In particular, several embodiments relate to quantification of diabetic nephropathy-associated RNA isolated from vesicles from patient urine samples is performed to compare a subject to a population having normal nephron function and/or to track progression of diabetic nephropathy in said subject over time.

Abstract: The technology relates in part to methods for identifying the presence of kidney disease, determining the level of kidney disease, or the progression of kidney disease, in a subject that has or has not been diagnosed with diabetes. The technology further relates to methods for determining the targets for therapy for kidney disease, the efficacy of a treatment for kidney disease, and methods for determining the toxicity of a therapeutic in a subject with kidney disease. The technology relates in part to methods for identifying the presence of kidney disease, determining the level of kidney disease, or the progression of kidney disease, in a subject that has or has not been diagnosed with diabetes. The technology further relates to methods for determining the targets for therapy for kidney disease, the efficacy of a treatment for kidney disease, and methods for determining the toxicity of a therapeutic in a subject with kidney disease.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods relating to the treatment and/or prevention of kidney disorders, especially kidney disorders characterized by or involving albuminuria. Methods described include the administration of an adiponectin polypeptide or a nucleic acid encoding such a polypeptide to treat or prevent the development of albuminuria. Also described are methods in which adiponectin is measured as a predictor of a subject's likelihood of having or developing a kidney disorder characterized by or involving albuminuria. Also described are methods of treating or preventing a kidney disorder involving administering an AMPK agonist and/or an inhibitor of Nox4 activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of measuring urinary TGF-&bgr; levels to monitor disease progression in patients having chronic fibrotic diseases or kidney diseases, more particularly, methods of preparing urine specimens for measuring urinary TGF-&bgr; levels in patients having chronic fibrotic diseases or kidney diseases.