Electroneutral potassium and acid-base balance pathways in kidney cells
Official title: Coordinated SLC12A3/SLC12A6/SL26A4 electroneutral transport pathways maintain K+ homeostasis and acid-base balance
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11364225 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team is studying how certain kidney transporters respond to alkaline diets to keep potassium and acid-base levels balanced in the body.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2017 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $714,418 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK110375-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11364225 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with kidney or electrolyte balance concerns who could benefit from insights into potassium handling, though the work currently uses animal models.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without kidney or electrolyte issues may not directly benefit from this specific mechanistic study.
What this research studies
This project investigates how dietary alkalinity affects kidney cells and the molecules that control potassium and bicarbonate balance. Researchers will test the role of KCC3a, pendrin, and NCC transporters in engineered mouse models to see how they work together during alkaline conditions. The study uses cellular and physiological approaches to understand how this pathway might cause potassium loss in alkalosis. Findings could explain why high-alkaline diets influence potassium levels and acid-base regulation in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding these pathways could lead to better management of potassium and acid-base disorders linked to diet or kidney function.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown that related transporters contribute to potassium and bicarbonate handling, supporting the potential relevance of this pathway.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Delpire, Eric J — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Delpire, Eric J
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.