Decline is not inevitable.
A daily, evidence-graded view of everything moving in kidney research : the drugs that slow decline, the science of regeneration, and the mind-body work.
Latest brief · 2026-08-10
The day's sweep is dominated by diabetes and heart drugs being tested for the kidneys. A large review found GLP-1 drugs appear safe for people with kidney failure, and a pooled analysis of three big trials showed semaglutide helps protect the kidneys. Several new trials also opened, including tests of empagliflozin and orforglipron in people — and children — with kidney disease.
A Phase III Study to Investigate the Efficacy and Safety of Elecoglipron Compared With Placebo in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Impaired Renal Function on Background Dapagliflozin
A new trial is starting to test a drug called elecoglipron in adults who have type 2 diabetes and reduced kidney function. Everyone taking part is already on dapagliflozin, a standard kidney-protective drug. Half will add elecoglipron and half will add a placebo (a dummy pill). There are no results yet.
Assessment of the Impact of Repeated Ischemic Preconditioning Episodes on Hemodynamic and Metabolic Parameters in Patients at Various Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease
This study tests 'ischemic preconditioning' — briefly cutting off and then restoring blood flow to a limb — in people at different stages of kidney disease. The idea is that short, safe bursts of low blood flow may protect the heart and blood vessels. Researchers will track blood pressure, heart rate, and signs of inflammation. It is just starting, so there are no results yet.
A Study to Find Out How EMPAgliflozin is Tolerated and if it Helps Children and Adolescents With Chronic KIDNEY Disease (EMPA-KIDNEY® Kids)
A trial is opening to see if empagliflozin, a diabetes and kidney drug, helps children and teens aged 2 to 17 with chronic kidney disease. Children will be randomly given the drug or a placebo. It also checks how safe the drug is and how a child's body handles it. There are no results yet.
Self-Management Data and Disease Progression in Chronic Kidney Disease
This study watches whether people with kidney disease who track their own blood pressure, blood sugar, medicines, and diet in a phone app do better over time. It looks for links between self-tracking and how the disease progresses. It is observational and just starting, so there are no results yet.
The role of gut microbiome disruption in the development of metabolic dysfunction-associated kidney disease.
This is a review of how an unhealthy balance of gut bacteria may play a part in kidney disease tied to obesity and metabolic problems. It pulls together existing research rather than reporting a new study, so there are no new results.
Association Between Dietary Magnesium Intake and All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Insights from NHANES 1999-2018.
Using a large U.S. health survey (NHANES, 1999–2018), researchers found that people with kidney disease who ate more magnesium were less likely to die during follow-up. This is an observational link, not proof that magnesium itself is the cause. It does not tell you how much to take.
Regulatory Frameworks and Technical Bottlenecks for Clinical Translation of the Bioartificial Kidney.
This review looks at the rules and technical hurdles standing between the 'bioartificial kidney' — a lab-built device meant to do a kidney's job — and real use in patients. It is a discussion piece, not a study, so there are no results yet.
Clinical application of deep learning-based measurement of glomerular morphometry in IgAN
This study used artificial intelligence to measure tiny kidney-filter structures on biopsy images in IgA nephropathy. It reports how well the computer tool works. It is a method study, not a treatment.
Proteomic Identification of Pig Xenoantigens for Clinical Xenotransplantation.
Researchers used lab methods to find the pig proteins that a human immune system would attack, aiming to make pig kidneys safer to transplant into people. This is early laboratory work, not something tested in patients yet.
Outcomes of living related kidney donors of recipients with familial mediterranean fever-associated Amyloid A Amyloidosis
This study followed living kidney donors whose transplant recipients had a rare inflammatory disease with amyloid buildup. It reports how the donors fared afterward. It is observational, so it shows outcomes, not cause.
Study of the Quality of Life in School Aged-children With Posterior Urethral Valves
This study will measure quality of life in school-aged children born with posterior urethral valves, a blockage in the urinary tract. Many of these children later develop kidney disease. The study is just starting and has no results yet.
A novel TRPC6 variant (c.131C>T, p.(Pro44Leu)) associated with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis: a case report
This report describes one patient with a newly found gene change (in a gene called TRPC6) linked to a kidney-scarring disease called FSGS. A single case cannot prove the gene causes the disease, but it adds to what is known.
Case Report: Nephrotic syndrome with minimal change disease during anti-tuberculosis treatment and tiopronin use
This is a single-patient report of a kidney condition called minimal change disease, which causes heavy protein loss in the urine, that appeared during tuberculosis treatment and use of a drug called tiopronin. One case cannot prove the drugs were the cause.