How kidneys sense phosphate levels in the body

Kidney Glycolysis as the Mammalian Phosphate Sensor

NIH-funded research Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11113873

This study is looking at how your kidneys sense phosphate levels, which are important for keeping your bones strong and your energy up, and it aims to understand how this process relates to a hormone that helps balance phosphate in your body, especially during different situations like fasting.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMassachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11113873 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the kidneys detect phosphate levels, which are crucial for various bodily functions such as bone health and energy metabolism. The study focuses on a specific process in kidney cells that produces a signaling molecule called glycerol-3-phosphate in response to phosphate. By understanding this mechanism, the researchers aim to uncover the relationship between phosphate levels and the hormone FGF23, which regulates phosphate balance in the body. The approach includes testing different conditions that affect this process, such as fasting and metabolic changes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting phosphate metabolism or related bone disorders.

Not a fit: Patients without any issues related to phosphate metabolism or bone health may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for conditions related to phosphate imbalance, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While the specific approach of this research is novel, understanding phosphate metabolism has been a focus of previous studies, indicating potential for significant findings.

Where this research is happening

Boston, 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.