How excess quinolinic acid and low NAD+ harm the kidneys
Mitochondria and metabolism in kidney disease
This project tests whether removing excess quinolinic acid or restoring NAD+ levels can protect kidneys in people with acute or chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11245557 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You may be asked to provide blood or other samples while researchers measure levels of quinolinic acid (Quin) and NAD+ in the body and kidney. The team will study how suppression of the QPRT enzyme leads to Quin build-up and how Quin damages different kidney cell types. They will combine experiments in cells and animal models with analysis of human samples to test ways to clear Quin or boost NAD+ metabolism. The goal is to find approaches that prevent fibrosis and long-term loss of kidney function.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recent acute kidney injury (AKI), ongoing chronic kidney disease (CKD), or at high risk for worsening kidney function would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without kidney disease or those whose kidney failure is due to irreversible structural damage may not receive direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to treatments that reduce kidney injury and slow progression to severe chronic kidney disease by removing toxic Quin or restoring NAD+ balance.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies link low NAD+ to worse AKI and show mixed benefits from NAD+ boosting, while targeting Quin accumulation and QPRT function is a newer approach with limited prior human data.
Where this research is happening
Dallas, United States
- Ut Southwestern Medical Center — Dallas, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Parikh, Samir M — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Parikh, Samir M
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 below.