How muscle mitochondria affect exercise benefits in advanced kidney disease

Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Response to Exercise in Patients with Advanced Kidney Disease

['FUNDING_R01'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · NIH-11140385

This project looks at whether problems in muscle cell energy factories (mitochondria) explain why exercise helps people on dialysis less than others.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorVANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (NASHVILLE, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11140385 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From a patient perspective, researchers will enroll adults with end-stage kidney disease on hemodialysis and measure muscle strength, walking ability, and mitochondrial function. They will take small muscle biopsies and lab tests to count and evaluate mitochondria, and will compare these measures before and after a supervised exercise program. The team will link changes in mitochondrial number and function to changes in muscle mass, fatigue, and physical performance. Findings aim to show whether fixing mitochondrial problems could make exercise work better for people on dialysis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with end-stage kidney disease receiving hemodialysis who are willing to take part in supervised exercise and undergo small muscle biopsy procedures would be ideal candidates.

Not a fit: People with early-stage kidney disease not on dialysis, or those unable or unwilling to participate in exercise programs or muscle biopsy procedures, may not be eligible or likely to benefit directly from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to boost muscle energy and make exercise more effective, reducing frailty and improving strength and quality of life for dialysis patients.

How similar studies have performed: Exercise improves mitochondrial function in the general population, and prior work has identified mitochondrial problems in dialysis patients, but interventions to restore mitochondria in this group have shown limited or mixed benefit so far.

Where this research is happening

NASHVILLE, 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.