Clinical Study of Oral Galactose for FSGS

The cause of primary FSGS has remained a subject of intensive study over the last 30 years.  One theory, which has been supported by evidence of recurrence of FSGS in patients following kidney transplant, is the presence of increased levels of permeability factors that enhance the leakage of protein into the urine.

A series of experimental studies have verified the presence of a molecule that can increase the permeability of glomeruli, the kidney’s filters, resulting in protein leaking into the urine.  This factor is thought to be present in some patients with FSGS as well as in those with minimal change nephrotic syndrome and may be one of the key factors that leads to proteinuria.

Based on preliminary investigations performed on tissue samples outside of the body, as well reports of treatment in patients with primary FSGS, a sugar, galactose, has been found that may bind to the permeability factor.  Galactose taken by mouth for short periods of time has resulted in dramatic reductions in the level of the permeability factor.  This raises the possibility that more extended treatment with galactose may be a safe and effective means of reducing the level of the FSGS permeability factor, leading to reduction in proteinuria, stabilizing kidney function, and potentially prevention of recurrent disease after transplantation.

Participating clinical sites include Schneider Children’s Hospital, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  For more details about the project, please contact Dr. Howard Trachtman, Pediatric Nephrologist and Chief of Nephrology at Schneider Children’s Hospital in the New York area and Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, through his office: (718) 470-3423.

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