Investigating how gut bacteria and blood chemicals affect pain after kidney transplants

The Gut Microbiome and Serum Metabolites as a Biological Mechanism Underlying Pain in Kidney Transplantation (Biome-KT)

NIH-funded research University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11054681

This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut and certain substances in your blood might be linked to the chronic pain some kidney transplant recipients feel, and it will explore how your diet and stress after the transplant could affect these factors over time.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11054681 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the connection between gut microbiota, serum metabolites, and chronic pain experienced by kidney transplant recipients. It aims to understand how changes in diet and stress levels after transplantation influence these biological factors and contribute to pain. By using a prospective repeated measures design, the study will track these relationships over time to identify potential mechanisms underlying pain in this population. Patients may be asked to provide samples and participate in assessments to help uncover these dynamics.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older who have undergone kidney transplantation and experience chronic pain.

Not a fit: Patients who have not undergone kidney transplantation or do not experience chronic pain may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved pain management strategies for kidney transplant recipients, enhancing their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of the microbiome in pain management, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, 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.