Understanding how PFAS chemicals affect kidney disease in young people with Type 2 diabetes

PFAS Exposure and Diabetic Kidney Disease in Youth with Type 2 Diabetes: A Multi-Omic Approach for Prevention and Treatment

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-11190901

This project looks at how common chemicals called PFAS might contribute to kidney problems in young people with Type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11190901 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Many young people with Type 2 diabetes develop kidney disease, especially Latinx and African American youth, and current treatments are limited. This project explores whether exposure to PFAS, a group of widespread artificial chemicals, increases the risk of kidney damage in these young individuals. Researchers believe that specific transporters in the kidney, called OATs, might play a role by reabsorbing PFAS and concentrating them in kidney cells. By studying existing health information from two groups of young people with Type 2 diabetes, this work aims to understand if reducing the reabsorption of these chemicals could help prevent kidney disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This project focuses on understanding existing data from Latinx and African American youth aged 12-20 who have Type 2 diabetes and are at risk for or have developed diabetic kidney disease.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have Type 2 diabetes or are outside the specified age range would not directly benefit from this specific data analysis.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new ways to prevent and treat diabetic kidney disease in young people by targeting PFAS exposure or its effects on the kidneys.

How similar studies have performed: This is described as a first-of-its-kind study examining this specific hypothesis, though preliminary data links PFAS to kidney injury in youth with Type 2 diabetes.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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 Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.