How acid balance affects muscle energy and endurance in people with chronic kidney disease

Impact of metabolic acidosis on muscle mitochondrial energetics, metabolic health and physical endurance in persons with chronic kidney disease

NIH-funded research University of California at Davis · NIH-11170665

The project seeks to help people with chronic kidney disease by treating metabolic acidosis to improve muscle energy use and physical endurance.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California at Davis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Davis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11170665 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

If you join, researchers will use a safe, noninvasive muscle scan (31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy) plus walking and endurance tests to see how your muscles produce and use energy. They will measure blood and muscle-related metabolic markers, body composition, and insulin-related measures to understand links between acid balance and muscle health. Some participants may receive treatments to raise bicarbonate levels, like oral bicarbonate, while others are followed to compare changes over time. The team wants to know whether improving acid balance can reduce muscle fat, boost mitochondrial function, and help you stay more mobile and independent.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with chronic kidney disease, especially those with low blood bicarbonate or symptoms of metabolic acidosis and trouble with walking or stamina, would be the best fit for this work.

Not a fit: People without chronic kidney disease, those who do not have metabolic acidosis, or patients already on dialysis are unlikely to benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that improve muscle strength, stamina, and metabolic health for people with CKD, helping maintain independence.

How similar studies have performed: Prior small studies and clinical experience suggest oral bicarbonate can improve nutrition and some muscle outcomes in CKD, but results are limited and this project uses advanced muscle imaging to provide clearer evidence.

Where this research is happening

Davis, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.