Understanding how vitamin C affects oxalate formation in the body

Oxalate formation from ascorbic acid

NIH-funded research University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-10774286

This study is looking at how vitamin C affects the amount of oxalate in urine, which can lead to kidney stones, and it's for both people who have had kidney stones and those who haven't, to help create better dietary advice for preventing them.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Birmingham, United States)
Project IDNIH-10774286 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the metabolism of ascorbic acid, commonly known as vitamin C, contributes to the formation of oxalate in urine, which is a key factor in calcium oxalate stone disease. By using carbon-13 labeled ascorbic acid, the study aims to measure the amount of oxalate produced from vitamin C in both non-stone forming adults and those who form calcium oxalate stones. The research seeks to clarify the relationship between dietary vitamin C intake and urinary oxalate levels, which could help in developing dietary recommendations for preventing kidney stones.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 21 and older, particularly those who have a history of calcium oxalate stone formation.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of kidney stones or those under 21 years old may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better dietary guidelines for individuals at risk of developing kidney stones, potentially reducing the incidence of this painful condition.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated that vitamin C metabolism contributes significantly to urinary oxalate levels, suggesting that this research builds on established findings.

Where this research is happening

Birmingham, 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.