β-hydroxybutyrate: A Renoprotective Hormone In Polycystic Kidney Disease
--> New review article just published
--> BHB is not just burned for energy - it is also a hormone with important effects protecting the kidneys
BACKGROUND: Lifestyle interventions targeting metabolic health may influence chronic kidney disease (CKD) risk, particularly among adults with type 2 diabetes and obesity. We evaluated real-world associations between a telehealth-delivered, individualized nutrition therapy program (VINT) and CKD incidence and progression compared with usual care.
Messing M, Muensterman E, Marcon S, Weimbs T. Halting cyst progression in ADPKD using long-term ketogenic metabolic therapy and supplementation with exogenous ketones and alkaline citrate—a case series. Frontiers in Nutrition. 2026 ;13:1843178.
Emily Ngo (right in the picture), undergrad researcher in the Weimbs Lab, received the Top Honors Award in Biological Sciences for her research poster presented at 2026 UC LEADS Koret Symposium hosted at UCSF. Emily's poster was titled “Atypical Protein Kinase C Zeta’s Role in Renal Calcium-Oxalate Crystal Clearance.” Emily is a UC LEADS scholar.
Background: Autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a common hereditary form of chronic kidney disease with limited pharmacological treatment options. Emerging evidence suggests that metabolic interventions, including ketogenic dietary strategies and reducing lithogenic risk, may positively influence disease progression.
News release about our study on developing a new class of monoclonal antibody drugs for polycystic kidney disease therapy. These dimeric-IgA class antibodies have the ability to target to cyst lumens in PKD.
A ‘magic bullet’ for polycystic kidney disease in the making
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a debilitating hereditary condition in which fluid-filled sacs form and proliferate in the kidneys. Over time, the painful, growing cysts rob the organs of their function, often leading to dialysis in advanced cases There is currently no cure.
'High-protein diets hurt your kidneys!'. 'Once kidney disease starts, it only gets worse'. Heard something similar? It's just not the whole picture and also showing to be quite far from the truth.
