How kidney nerves affect chronic kidney disease
Effect of Renal Nerves on Chronic Kidney Disease
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · NIH-11316998
Testing whether blocking or removing kidney nerve signals can slow kidney damage and high blood pressure in people with chronic kidney disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11316998 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are using mouse models that mimic different types of chronic kidney disease to study how nerve activity in the kidney contributes to worsening function and high blood pressure. They will compare animals with intact renal nerves to those that have had the nerves removed or blocked and will measure blood pressure, kidney function, protein in the urine, and inflammation. The team will also look for the chemical signals that turn on kidney sensory nerves and then drive harmful sympathetic nerve responses. These findings are meant to identify which forms of CKD might respond to nerve-targeting treatments and to guide possible future human trials.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with chronic kidney disease—especially those with high blood pressure or significant proteinuria—would be the kinds of patients who might benefit from therapies this research aims to enable.
Not a fit: Patients whose kidney failure is already advanced and irreversible or whose disease is driven by mechanisms unrelated to renal nerve activity may not benefit from nerve-targeting approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could support new nerve-targeting treatments like renal denervation to lower blood pressure and slow kidney decline in CKD patients.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies have shown renal denervation can protect kidneys and reduce blood pressure, but human trials have largely focused on hypertension and evidence specifically in CKD patients is limited.
Where this research is happening
PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH — PITTSBURGH, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: TAN, RODERICK JASON — UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- Study coordinator: TAN, RODERICK JASON
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.
Conditions: Chronic Renal Disease