Investigating how heme affects kidney health in older adults
Official title: Heme-mediated Mitochondrial Injury, Senescence, Acute Kidney Injury and Chronic Kidney Disease
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11014982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain old cells in the kidneys can cause problems in older adults with kidney issues, and it’s exploring whether a substance called heme might be making things worse; the goal is to find new ways to help improve kidney health in people aged 65 and older.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | March 15, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $599,173 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133401-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11014982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals aged 65 and older who are at risk for acute kidney injury or chronic kidney disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients under the age of 65 or those without risk factors for kidney injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of senescent cells in acute kidney injury (AKI) and chronic kidney disease, particularly in individuals aged 65 and older. It explores how heme, a component of hemoglobin, can cause mitochondrial injury and contribute to kidney damage. The study aims to identify the mechanisms by which heme induces cellular senescence and inflammation, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies using senolytics, which are agents that target and eliminate senescent cells. By examining these processes, the research seeks to improve our understanding of kidney health in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or mitigate kidney damage in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in targeting senescent cells to improve health outcomes, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Nath, Karl a. — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Nath, Karl a.
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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.