Using urolithin A nanoparticles to treat acute kidney injury
Official title: Urolithin A nanoparticle therapy for acute kidney injury
Funded at University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa · NIH-11055400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a special treatment using urolithin A, a natural compound that helps protect the kidneys, and testing it in tiny particles to make it work better for people with acute kidney injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tuscaloosa, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2021 |
| Project end | March 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $323,152 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK128597-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11055400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk of or currently experiencing acute kidney injury, particularly those undergoing treatments that may exacerbate kidney damage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with chronic kidney disease or those who do not have acute kidney injury may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of urolithin A, a compound derived from gut bacteria, encapsulated in nanoparticles to improve its effectiveness in treating acute kidney injury (AKI). The study focuses on enhancing the bioavailability of urolithin A, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the kidneys from damage. By utilizing biodegradable nanoparticles, the research aims to deliver urolithin A more effectively, potentially reducing kidney injury and improving patient outcomes. The approach has shown promising results in animal models, indicating a significant reduction in kidney damage and mortality rates.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new treatment option for patients suffering from acute kidney injury, improving recovery and reducing complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success with nanoparticle delivery systems for other therapeutic agents, suggesting a promising avenue for this approach in treating acute kidney injury.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Majeti, Ravikumar N — University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa
- Study coordinator: Majeti, Ravikumar N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
SEAK Alliance: Improving Care for AKI Patients in the Southeast
A national, patient-centered effort to improve post-hospital care for people who had acute kidney injury in the Southeast.
-
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This grant funds research to understand why some people develop delirium after heart surgery when they also have acute kidney injury.
-
Better ways to identify types of sudden kidney injury in U.S. Veterans
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-
Neuroimmune control of kidney injury using noninvasive ultrasound
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Aims to block how polymyxin damages the kidney so it can be used more safely to treat hard-to-kill infections.
-
Using smart computer predictions to prevent kidney injury after heart surgery
A machine-learning approach uses routinely collected hospital data to predict who might develop acute kidney injury after heart surgery, so clinicians can act early.
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.