Understanding how vascular calcification occurs in chronic kidney disease

The transcriptional control of vascular calcification in disease

NIH-funded research University of Colorado Denver · NIH-11038002

This study is looking into how certain fatty acids, like stearic acid, can lead to hardening of the blood vessels in people with chronic kidney disease, and it hopes to find new ways to prevent this problem to help improve treatment options for patients.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Colorado Denver NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11038002 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms behind vascular calcification, a serious complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). It focuses on how certain fatty acids, particularly stearic acid, contribute to this condition by affecting vascular smooth muscle cells. The study aims to identify new pharmacological strategies to prevent vascular calcification by exploring the biochemical pathways involved in this process. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to effective therapies for managing vascular calcification.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients suffering from chronic kidney disease who are at risk of developing vascular calcification.

Not a fit: Patients without chronic kidney disease or those not experiencing vascular calcification may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent vascular calcification in patients with chronic kidney disease.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the biochemical pathways involved in vascular calcification, suggesting that this approach may lead to significant advancements.

Where this research is happening

Aurora, 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.
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.