Mechanisms for complications of renal failure and processes for treating the same are disclosed. They include contacting a biological fluid (e.g. blood) with a filter body, the filter body having immobilized thereon either a CD36 receptor or a CD36 receptor fragment or a SCARB1 receptor or a SCARB1 receptor fragment, the blood having a reduced quantity of oxidatively modified proteins after contacting the filter body. They also include administering an antagonist drug to a patient that blocks the binding activity of the RAGE receptor or the CD36 receptor or the SCARB1 receptor. Diagnostic methods are also provided.
