Investigating how fatty acid oxidation affects injured kidney tubules
Official title: The Role of Fatty Acid Oxidation in Injured Kidney Tubules
Funded at St. Louis VA Medical Center · NIH-11050123 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain fats in the body affect kidney healing in veterans who are more likely to have kidney problems, especially after heart surgery, and it hopes to find new ways to help protect their kidneys using a medication that's already approved for use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Louis VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (St. Louis, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 1, 2018 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 2I01BX003425-06A2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11050123 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are veterans who have experienced acute kidney injury or are at risk for kidney-related complications following cardiac surgery.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of acute kidney injury or are not part of the veteran population may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of fatty acid oxidation in kidney tubules that are injured, particularly in veterans who are at higher risk for acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study uses genetically altered mice to explore how specific proteins involved in fatty acid oxidation contribute to kidney repair or damage following ischemic events, such as those that occur during cardiac surgery. By manipulating these proteins, the research aims to identify potential therapeutic strategies, including the use of an FDA-approved medication, ranolazine, to prevent ischemic AKI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new preventive treatments for acute kidney injury in vulnerable populations, particularly veterans.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific approach of manipulating fatty acid oxidation proteins in kidney injury is innovative, there is preliminary evidence suggesting that targeting these pathways may offer protective benefits in similar contexts.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Louis VA Medical Center
St. Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gewin, Leslie S — St. Louis VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gewin, Leslie S
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.