Abstract
OBJECTIVE: In recent years, the study of macrophages has gained prominence as a promising avenue for understanding the pathogenesis and therapeutic prospects of acute kidney injury (AKI). In this work, we utilize a bibliometric analysis to map the existing research landscape concerning macrophages in the context of AKI. We aim to provide valuable insights and scholarly references that can facilitate the advancement of comprehensive research and innovation in this field. Our goal is to provide valuable knowledge and academic sources that support the progress of thorough research and breakthroughs in connected fields.
METHODS: We incorporated studies focused on macrophages in AKI that were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. All publications were exported in plaintext full-record format and subsequently analyzed using CiteSpace 6.4.R1 for bibliometric evaluation.
RESULTS: A total of 1483 records meeting the inclusion criteria were analyzed. The number of publications in the 1st 12 years was relatively low, but there was a notable increase in publications in 2019 and 2021. The research, encompassing contributions from 56 countries and 437 institutions, is led by China and US Department of Veterans Affairs. The authors with the highest number of publications are Hans-Joachim Anders and Mark D. Okusa, and Bonventre JV was the most frequently cited author. The journal with the highest number of co-citations is Kidney International. Prominent keywords in the literature include macrophages, inflammation, and extracellular vesicles. Keywords extracted from the analysis mainly focus on AKI, expression, acute renal failure, activation, inflammation, and macrophages.
CONCLUSION: This research provides a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation, thereby enhancing our understanding of the current state of macrophage studies in AKI. As a result, it assists both experienced researchers and newcomers by facilitating quick access to crucial information and promoting the extraction of innovative concepts within this specialized field.