How Dapagliflozin may improve kidney function and heart health in kidney transplant patients
Official title: Efficacy and Mechanisms of Dapagliflozin in Promoting Kidney Function and Cardiovascular Health in Kidney Transplant Recipients
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11001552 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the diabetes medication Dapagliflozin can help improve kidney function and heart health in people who have had kidney transplants, with the hope of reducing serious health issues like heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 16, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $589,086 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK137844-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001552 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have received a kidney transplant and may have diabetes or are at risk for cardiovascular disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not undergone kidney transplantation or those without any risk factors for cardiovascular disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the effects of Dapagliflozin, a medication typically used for diabetes, on kidney function and cardiovascular health in individuals who have received kidney transplants. The study aims to understand how this medication can help mitigate complications such as cardiovascular disease, which is a leading cause of death in kidney transplant recipients. By analyzing kidney biopsies and using advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing, researchers will explore the underlying mechanisms that may enhance kidney health and oxygenation. Participants may receive Dapagliflozin as part of their treatment regimen to assess its benefits over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved kidney function and reduced cardiovascular risks for kidney transplant recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that medications like Dapagliflozin can improve outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease, suggesting a promising avenue for kidney transplant recipients as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kendrick, Jessica B — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Kendrick, Jessica B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Dapagliflozin to protect kidney transplant function and heart health
This research will test whether dapagliflozin helps adults with a kidney transplant—especially those with type 2 diabetes—keep their new kidney working and reduce heart-related problems.
-
Microbial clues to diagnose and predict infections in kidney transplant patients
A patient-focused project will look for microbial biomarkers in stool, blood, and urine to help doctors predict and diagnose infections in people who have had a kidney transplant.
-
Immunological mechanisms behind treatment-resistant kidney transplant rejection
This grant explores why certain kidney transplant rejections don’t respond to standard treatments and what immune cells in the graft are driving that resistance.
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Complement-Bound Exosomes and Kidney Transplant Immunity
This project studies how kidney transplant injury and rejection happen after surgery and whether blocking certain immune pathways during organ preservation could improve transplant outcomes.
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Blood vessel signals predicting heart problems after kidney transplant
This project studies blood markers and tissue patterns after kidney transplants to identify which patients are at highest risk of cardiovascular problems.
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Understanding how BK virus links infection to kidney transplant rejection
This project looks at how BK polyomavirus reactivation affects kidney transplant patients and aims to use pre-transplant T cell information to tailor immunosuppression and monitoring.
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.