Therapy to protect liver and kidneys in alcoholic liver disease-related hepatorenal syndrome
Official title: Novel therapy for alcoholic liver disease-associated hepatorenal syndrome
Funded at Mitopower LLC · NIH-11161451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is testing whether the supplement nicotinamide riboside to boost NAD+ can help people with alcoholic liver disease who develop hepatorenal syndrome and acute kidney injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mitopower LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Palo Alto, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,499,999 |
| NIH project number | 5U44AA029833-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11161451 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adults with alcoholic liver disease who have developed or are at high risk for hepatorenal syndrome with acute kidney injury.
✕Less likely to help
People without alcoholic liver disease or those whose kidney failure is due to other non-alcohol-related causes may not receive benefit from this therapy.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring whether restoring NAD+ levels with nicotinamide riboside can reverse alcohol-related damage to liver and kidney cells. They will study how this supplement affects mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and tissue health using lab models and animal experiments. The goal is to reduce liver injury and protect kidneys from the acute kidney injury that accompanies hepatorenal syndrome. If results are promising, the team aims to move toward human testing to see if the approach improves outcomes for patients with HRS-AKI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could reduce liver and kidney damage and improve recovery and survival for patients with alcoholic liver disease who develop hepatorenal syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Preclinical animal studies have shown nicotinamide riboside can improve liver histology and protect kidneys, but clinical evidence in people with ALD and HRS-AKI is limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Mitopower LLC
Palo Alto, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Subramanian, Mani — Mitopower LLC
- Study coordinator: Subramanian, Mani
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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.