Research is focusing on genetic susceptibility to kidney disease. The Joslin Diabetes Center is studying nephropathy in people with type 1 diabetes and is collaborating with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the George Washington University Biostatistics Center in the GoKinD study, which seeks to establish a large database of DNA and clinical information from people with type 1 diabetes and their parents.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), in collaboration with the National Center for Minority and Health Disparities, is studying the genetic susceptibility of ethnic populations. The Family Investigation of Nephropathy of Diabetes (FIND) is investigating the prevalence of kidney disease in family members of diabetes patients with nephropathy. Black Americans, Native Americans and Hispanic Americans appear to have an increased incidence of diabetic nephropathy and kidney disease that is unrelated to diabetes. The study will also examine the links between diabetic nephropathy and diabetic retinopathy.

The National Institutes of Health is also involved in dozens of other studies of diabetic nephropathy. These include clinical trials of several potential new drug treatments, a trial examining the possible use of COX-2 inhibitors, comparisons of the various antihypertensives and explorations of possible risk factors, including certain enzymes, oxidation and exposure to lead.

Clinical trials are investigating drugs called glycosaminoglycans that protect the kidneys. One pill that is in phase III and phase IV trials may reduce proteinuria.

Theorizing that inflammation may be an important cause of diabetic nephropathy, some researchers are studying drugs called adenosine A2 agonists that may treat nephropathy in addition to acute kidney injury.

An investigational class of drugs called aldose reductase inhibitors has shown some promise for treating diabetic complications including neuropathy, retinopathy and nephropathy.