Current opinion in critical care
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The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the preclinical and clinical studies investigating sex as a biological variable, as well as the impact of gender, on the development of and progression of acute kidney injury (AKI). ⋯ Sex is an important biological variable in animal models of acute kidney injury. The impact of sex on AKI likely varies based on the etiology of AKI. Preclinical studies demonstrate the nuances of sex chromosomes, sex hormones and epigenetic factors on AKI, however these have not been well studied in humans. Gender may also impact processes of care, treatment and clinical outcomes related to AKI. The scientific rigor and reproducibility of translational studies benefit from the consideration of sex and gender.