NIH-funded research R01 grant

Investigating how metabolic changes and FGF21 signaling affect kidney health in polycystic kidney disease.

Official title: Metabolic reprogramming and FGF21 signaling in kidney health and polycystic kidney diseases

Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-10861027 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how a special diet that helps your body burn fat might improve kidney health for people with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) and whether it can slow down the disease's progress.

More Kidney Diseases research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionJohns Hopkins University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project startDecember 18, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2027
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$406,769
NIH project number5R01DK133118-04
Project IDNIH-10861027 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD).

Less likely to help

Patients with other forms of kidney disease or those without a diagnosis of ADPKD may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how metabolic reprogramming and the signaling molecule FGF21 can influence kidney health, particularly in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). The study aims to explore the effects of enhancing fatty acid oxidation and the potential benefits of a ketogenic diet on delaying the progression of kidney disease. By examining the molecular mechanisms involved, the research seeks to provide insights into how dietary interventions can be effectively applied in clinical settings to improve patient outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary strategies that help slow the progression of kidney disease in patients with ADPKD.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results with dietary interventions in animal models of PKD, indicating potential for success in human applications.

Where this research is happening

  • Johns Hopkins University
    Baltimore, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Dai, Dao-Fu — Johns Hopkins University
  • Study coordinator: Dai, Dao-Fu

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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    NIH research Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11365217

  • Metabolic Boost to Kidney Health in ADPKD

    A Johns Hopkins-led study is exploring how fueling kidney cells with fats and FGF21 signals could slow kidney disease in adults with ADPKD.

    NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-11365093

  • Graph-based spatial transcriptomics AI methods to understand kidney diseases

    Aims to create AI-powered tools to map where kidney cells are and how they communicate, helping people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury (AKI).

    NIH research Indiana University Indianapolis · Indianapolis, United States · NIH-11365041

  • How APOL1 gene changes can lead to kidney damage

    Researchers are exploring how APOL1 gene changes found mainly in people of African ancestry can harm kidney cells and contribute to certain non-diabetic chronic kidney diseases.

    NIH research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · Cleveland, United States · NIH-11252568

  • Understanding Ubiquitin D for Liver and Kidney Diseases

    This project looks at a protein called Ubiquitin D to find new ways to help people with liver conditions like NASH and HCC, and also chronic kidney disease.

    NIH research Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute · La Jolla, United States · NIH-11176365

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.