Therapeutic Research

Beyond the drug pipeline — evidence-based dietary, supplement, and lifestyle interventions being studied for PKD/ADPKD.

Dietary Interventions

Studies on diet modifications for PKD

Ketogenic Diet (52-week)

Dietary

◆ In Progress Well-Formulated Keto Diet for PKD

20 high-risk ADPKD patients on strict keto (<50g carbs) for 1 year with MRI imaging. First long-duration keto trial with htTKV endpoint. Led by Jeff Volek.

Ohio State University (DoD-funded)

Researchers: Jeff Volek, Madison Kackley

Ketogenic Diet (KETO-ADPKD)

Dietary

✓ Completed KETO-ADPKD

66 patients randomized for 3 months. Non-significant kidney volume reduction trend (-0.55% vs +0.79% control). Significant liver volume reduction (-4.73%). eGFR improved +5.5% (creatinine) / +13.9% (cystatin-C). 95% found feasible.

University of Cologne 2023-11

Researchers: Roman-Ulrich Mueller, Thomas Weimbs

Time-Restricted Eating

Dietary

✓ Completed 12-Month TRE Trial

29 patients, 8-hour eating window vs healthy eating for 12 months. Adherence target not met (60% vs 75% goal). Both groups lost modest weight. Conclusion: weight loss may matter more than eating timing.

University of Colorado 2025

Researchers: Kristen Nowak

Mediterranean Diet

Dietary

○ Observational Cross-sectional studies

Higher adherence associated with lower oxidative stress and reduced endothelial dysfunction in ADPKD patients. No interventional trial yet.

Multiple 2024

Researchers: Multiple groups

Supplements

Ketone and nutritional supplement research

Ren-Nu + KetoCitra (Cleveland Clinic)

Supplement

◆ In Progress PKD-KETO

20 ADPKD patients, 16-week program: plant-focused keto diet + KetoCitra + continuous glucose monitoring + intermittent fasting. First formal interventional study of KetoCitra at a major academic center.

Cleveland Clinic

Researchers: Richard Fatica, Thomas Weimbs

Exogenous Ketone Supplement (RCT)

Supplement

◆ In Progress KETO-CKD

Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded crossover trial of Ketone-IQ (R-1,3-butanediol) in 14 PKD patients. Only properly blinded ketone trial in PKD. Measures GFR via Tc99m-DTPA clearance.

Gødstrup Hospital, Denmark

Researchers: Trine Z. Lyksholm

KetoCitra (Ren-Nu Observational)

Supplement

✓ Completed Ren-Nu Program

103 patients in 3-month program. eGFR increased 6.3% (P<0.001), BMI improved, pain reduced. Limitation: no control group, company-authored study.

Santa Barbara Nutrients 2026

Researchers: Thomas Weimbs

Lifestyle

Non-dietary lifestyle interventions

High Water Intake

Lifestyle

✓ Completed PREVENT-ADPKD

184 patients over 3 years. NEGATIVE result: no significant benefit (6.8% vs 7.8% annual kidney growth, P=0.18). Only 52% achieved target urine osmolality.

University of Sydney 2022

Researchers: Gopala Rangan

Repurposed Drugs

Existing drugs being studied for PKD

Metformin

Repurposed Drug

◆ In Progress IMPEDE-PKD (Phase 3)

Phase 2 (TAME-PKD) showed safety and encouraging but non-significant eGFR preservation. Phase 3 now recruiting 1,174 patients — largest PKD trial to date.

University of Queensland

Researchers: Kenneth Hallows

About this research

Therapeutic approaches listed here are based on published clinical trials and peer-reviewed research. "Completed" means results are available; "In Progress" means the trial is still ongoing. This is not medical advice — discuss any interventions with your healthcare provider.