Can we prevent high doses of certain medications forming harmful crystals in the kidney?
Dr Oisín Kavanagh, a pharmacist from Newcastle University, has received a David Thompson PhD studentship award of £90,000 jointly funded with the Thompson Family Charitable Trust.
With this funding, Oisín will look at whether certain molecules can prevent crystals from forming and damaging the kidneys as a result of high doses of certain antibiotics.
The problem with high doses of medication
Antibiotics are medicines used to treat infection and often require a high dosage to reach the infected area of the body. However, higher doses of certain antibiotics can damage the kidneys by forming needle like crystals, which can lead to acute kidney injury (AKI) and cause intense pain for the patient, in a process called crystalluria.
The solution to prevent crystals forming
In crystalluria, crystals are formed by molecules interacting and attaching together in a specific way. Oisín will study these interactions and then use molecules found in existing medicines and foods to try and slow down the growth of crystals or prevent them from forming entirely.
To explore this, different concentrations of drugs associated with crystalluria will be added to urine to see when crystals form and at what dosage. Any substances identified as preventing crystal forming interactions will then be added with the drugs to see if they can reduce crystal formation and growth.
What could this mean for kidney patients?
Identifying substances that prevent crystal formation from certain drugs in the urine could inform future studies to develop interventions that prevent crystalluria, meaning high doses of certain antibiotics can be given to treat infection whilst also protecting kidney health in these patients.
"This work really demonstrates the need to increase collaboration across relevant medical fields. We are excited to be supporting this work that could have a real impact in preventing kidney disease caused by nephrotoxicity and drive much needed progress in reducing the number of people who have to suffer from the burden and life-long impact of kidney disease. As a family we know how much impact this can have not only on the patient but on their loved ones around them and we feel that this research is vital to understand this complex subject." Katie Woodward, daughter of the late David Thompson
Meet the researcher: Dr Oisín Kavanagh
“I am very grateful that Kidney Research UK can see the impact and difference I want to bring to patients as a pharmacist. By understanding when crystallisation and AKI might occur with certain high antibiotic doses, in the future we may be able to formulate medicine to allow for these high doses to fight infection whilst also protecting kidney health.” Dr Oisín Kavanagh
Latest kidney research news
Could understanding blood pressure changes during sleep in kidney patients be key to protecting heart and vessel health?
New results suggest that bladder cancer could be caused by the body’s response to common childhood virus
SMC approval of mercaptamine offers new hope and choice for people living with cystinosis in Scotland
Research looking at repurposing drugs to treat polycystic kidney disease shows promising new results
Personalising treatments for focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis patients receiving a kidney transplant
Why not make a donation now?
(Every £ counts)