Pyelonephritis decreases serum cholesterol and mitigates atherosclerosis severity despite systemic inflammation

American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology 2026

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Authors: Lena Possenriede, Georg W. Sendtner, Peyman Falahat, Uta Scheidt, Julia Miranda, Jessica Schmitz, Jan Hinrich Bräsen, Sibylle von Vietinghoff
DOI: 10.1152/ajpheart.00914.2025
Cited by: 2
References: 58

Abstract

Bacterial infections are common, and a risk factor for acute cardiovascular events. Chronic inflammation promotes atherosclerosis. However, in mice with chronic pyelonephritis and systemic inflammation and neutrophilia, atherosclerotic lesions were not enlarged. Rather, lesion size correlated with cholesterol levels that decreased significantly. A similar decrease of serum cholesterol with inflammation was found in patients admitted for urinary tract infections. These data support a clinical relevance of proatherogenic lipid decrease in severe bacterial infection.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Infectious Disease Case Reports and Treatments Inflammasome and immune disorders Atherosclerosis and Cardiovascular Diseases

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Heart and Circulatory Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
330
Issue
4
Pages
H1012–H1024
Publication date
26 February 2026
Language
EN