How gut bacteria and other body factors affect urine oxalate

The role of the microbiome and other host related factors in determining urine oxalate levels

['FUNDING_R01'] · NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · NIH-11172623

This project looks at whether differences in gut bacteria and other body factors explain higher urine oxalate in adults who form calcium oxalate kidney stones and whether changing the microbiome could lower those levels.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorNEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MEDICINE (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11172623 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

They will study stool samples and urine from 584 women in the Nurses' Health Study II (218 with kidney stones and 366 without) to see which gut bacteria and host factors link to urine oxalate levels. The team will measure urine oxalate, analyze the "oxalobiome" in stool, and compare markers of oxalate absorption and synthesis between groups. Mouse experiments that showed adding oxalate-degrading bacteria can lower urine oxalate will be used to test whether manipulating the microbiome can causally change urine oxalate. The goal is to find microbial or host targets that could be used to reduce stone risk.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults, especially women with a history of calcium oxalate kidney stones or high urine oxalate, would be the ideal candidates for this type of research.

Not a fit: People without oxalate-related kidney stones, children, or patients whose stones are due to non-oxalate causes may be unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to microbiome-based treatments or dietary approaches that lower urine oxalate and reduce risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones and CKD progression.

How similar studies have performed: Observational human work links oxalobiome differences to stone formers and mouse studies show Oxalobacter formigenes can lower urine oxalate, but effective microbiome therapies in people are not yet proven.

Where this research is happening

NEW YORK, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.