Understanding Kidney Toxins and Heart Disease
Uremic Toxins and Cardiovascular Disease
This project explores how toxins that build up in people with kidney disease might cause heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11145726 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) often leads to serious heart issues like heart failure and sudden cardiac death, which traditional risk factors don't fully explain. This work focuses on "uremic toxins," substances that accumulate in the body when kidneys don't work well, as a key cause of these heart problems. We are particularly interested in a toxin called indoxyl sulfate, which comes from gut bacteria and is linked to heart enlargement. Using a special rat model that mimics advanced human CKD, we are looking at how these toxins affect the heart and whether dietary changes, like adding inulin fiber, can help reduce toxin levels and protect the heart.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with chronic kidney disease who are at risk for or experiencing cardiovascular complications may benefit from future treatments developed from this research.
Not a fit: Patients without chronic kidney disease or related cardiovascular issues would likely not directly benefit from this specific line of research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat heart disease in patients with chronic kidney disease by targeting specific toxins or dietary interventions.
How similar studies have performed: Preliminary data from this team suggests that dietary interventions can reduce toxin levels, building on existing knowledge that uremic toxins contribute to cardiovascular disease in CKD.
Where this research is happening
Indianapolis, United States
- Indiana University Indianapolis — Indianapolis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Moe, Sharon M — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Moe, Sharon M
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 below.