Therapy to protect liver and kidneys in alcoholic liver disease-related hepatorenal syndrome

Novel therapy for alcoholic liver disease-associated hepatorenal syndrome

NIH-funded research Mitopower LLC · NIH-11161451

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMitopower LLC NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Palo Alto, United States)
Project IDNIH-11161451 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be adults with alcoholic liver disease who have developed or are at high risk for hepatorenal syndrome with acute kidney injury.

Not a fit: 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.

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 performed: 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

Palo Alto, 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.
Conditions Alcoholic Liver Diseases
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.