How the body manages potassium and acid-base balance

Coordinated SLC12A3/SLC12A6/SL26A4 electroneutral transport pathways maintain K+ homeostasis and acid-base balance

NIH-funded research Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11124836

This work helps us understand how our bodies control potassium levels and maintain a healthy acid-base balance, especially when we eat alkaline foods or experience alkalosis.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionVanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Nashville, United States)
Project IDNIH-11124836 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Our bodies work hard to keep potassium levels and acid-base balance just right, but we don't fully understand how this happens, especially with alkaline diets or conditions like alkalosis. This project looks at specific pathways in the kidneys that move potassium and other substances. We want to learn how these pathways are activated and how they work together to keep our bodies in balance. This knowledge could help us better understand and treat conditions where these balances are off.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research is not directly recruiting patients, but it aims to benefit individuals who experience issues with potassium levels or acid-base imbalances.

Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments or direct clinical intervention would not find direct benefit from this basic science project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of how the body regulates potassium and acid-base balance, potentially guiding future treatments for related disorders.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds on a recent discovery of a key potassium transport pathway, suggesting a novel approach to a long-standing question.

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.
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.