Scientists discovered that a protein called NUDT19 helps your kidneys handle excess fat from a high-fat diet. When mice without this protein ate fatty food for 15 weeks, their kidneys leaked more protein into their urine—a sign of kidney damage. The researchers found that this protein controls how fat is broken down and used in kidney cells. This discovery could help explain why people who eat lots of fatty foods sometimes develop kidney problems, and it might lead to new treatments to protect kidneys in the future.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether a protein called NUDT19 helps protect kidneys when someone eats a lot of fatty food
  • Who participated: Laboratory mice—some with the NUDT19 protein and some without it—fed a high-fat diet for 15 weeks
  • Key finding: Mice missing the NUDT19 protein developed worse kidney damage (more protein leakage) when eating fatty food compared to normal mice, suggesting this protein is important for kidney protection
  • What it means for you: This research suggests that having a working NUDT19 protein may help protect your kidneys from damage caused by eating too much fatty food. However, this is early research in mice, so we can’t yet say how it applies to humans or what we should do about it

The Research Details

Researchers used genetically engineered mice that were missing the NUDT19 protein and compared them to normal mice. Both groups ate a high-fat diet for 15 weeks. The scientists then examined the mice’s urine, blood, and kidney tissue to see what changed. They measured how much protein leaked into the urine (a sign of kidney damage) and analyzed the different types of fats and proteins in the kidney cells to understand what went wrong.

This type of study is called a genetic knockout study. It’s like removing one ingredient from a recipe to see what that ingredient does. By comparing mice with and without NUDT19, the researchers could figure out what job this protein does in the body.

The researchers also looked at which other proteins and fats changed when NUDT19 was missing. This helped them understand the chain of events that leads to kidney damage.

This research approach is important because it shows cause-and-effect relationships. By removing just one protein and seeing what happens, scientists can prove that protein actually does something important. The findings suggest NUDT19 isn’t just sitting in kidney cells doing nothing—it actively protects the kidneys when they’re dealing with too much fat.

This study was published in Scientific Reports, a well-respected science journal. The researchers used a clear experimental design with a control group (normal mice) and a test group (mice without NUDT19). However, this is laboratory research in mice, not humans, so we can’t automatically assume the same thing happens in people. The study also doesn’t specify exactly how many mice were used, which would help readers understand how reliable the results are.

What the Results Show

When mice without NUDT19 ate a high-fat diet, they developed worse kidney damage than normal mice eating the same diet. Specifically, more protein leaked into their urine, which is a key sign that kidneys aren’t working properly. This happened because the kidneys couldn’t handle the extra fat without the NUDT19 protein.

The researchers discovered that without NUDT19, the kidneys had abnormal levels of different types of fats. Some fats that should have been there were missing, while the proteins that normally break down and manage fats weren’t working correctly. It’s like a factory that can’t process its raw materials properly when a key worker is missing.

The study identified several proteins that changed when NUDT19 was absent, including proteins involved in breaking down fats (ECH1, THIKB, and ECHD2) and proteins that manage fat storage (C19orf12 and LSR). These changes suggest that NUDT19 controls a whole system for managing fat in kidney cells.

The research showed that NUDT19 works in special structures inside cells called peroxisomes, which are like tiny recycling centers for fats. When NUDT19 is missing, these recycling centers don’t work properly, and fats build up or get processed incorrectly. The study also found that multiple pathways for breaking down fats were affected, suggesting NUDT19 is a central control point for fat management in kidneys.

Previous research had linked NUDT19 to kidney problems in people with diabetes, but scientists didn’t fully understand how it worked. This study provides new information by showing that NUDT19 specifically helps manage fats in kidney cells. It also shows that the protein is important not just in diabetes but also when eating a high-fat diet, which is a more common situation for many people.

This research was done in mice, not humans, so we can’t be certain the same thing happens in people. Mice and humans have different diets, lifespans, and body systems. The study also doesn’t tell us how much NUDT19 protein is needed—just that having none causes problems. We don’t know if having less NUDT19 (but not zero) would cause mild kidney damage. Additionally, the study focused on one specific diet (high fat) and one specific protein, so we can’t say how NUDT19 works with other diets or other health conditions.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research alone, there are no specific recommendations for people yet. This is early-stage research that needs to be confirmed in humans. However, the findings support the general advice that eating too much fatty food may stress your kidneys, especially if you have genetic factors that affect how your body handles fat. If you have kidney disease or a family history of kidney problems, talk to your doctor about your diet.

This research is most relevant to people who eat high-fat diets regularly, people with kidney disease, people with diabetes, and people with a family history of kidney problems. Scientists studying kidney disease and fat metabolism should also pay attention to this work. People with normal kidney function and healthy diets don’t need to make changes based on this single study.

This is very early research, so we shouldn’t expect immediate changes. Scientists will need to do follow-up studies in mice and eventually in humans to confirm these findings. It could take 5-10 years or more before this research leads to new treatments or clear dietary recommendations for people.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily fat intake (grams of fat per day) and correlate with energy levels and any digestive symptoms. Users can log meals and see their weekly fat consumption trends.
  • Gradually reduce saturated fat intake by tracking meals and identifying high-fat foods to replace with lower-fat alternatives. Set a weekly fat intake goal and monitor progress.
  • Weekly review of fat intake patterns, monthly assessment of how dietary changes affect energy and digestion, and annual kidney health check-ups for at-risk individuals (those with family history or existing kidney concerns).

This research is preliminary laboratory work in mice and has not been tested in humans. It should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have kidney disease, diabetes, or concerns about your kidney health, consult with your healthcare provider before making dietary changes. This article is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice.