Can a common amino acid stop kidney stones from forming?
NCT ID NCT07465367
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study tests whether L-methionine, a natural amino acid, can make urine more acidic in people who form calcium phosphate kidney stones. These stones tend to form in alkaline urine, and current medications can sometimes make the problem worse. Fifteen participants will follow a special diet and take L-methionine, with urine samples collected to see if pH drops. It is a small, early-stage trial to see if this approach is worth further study.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- L-methionine (a dietary supplement)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple supplement to help prevent calcium phosphate kidney stones from coming back.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early study with only 15 people. It may not show a clear effect, and results might not apply to everyone with kidney stones.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 15 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Apr 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Apr 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 90 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Any patient, aged 18-90 and not incarcerated, under the care of a urologist at UIHC, with a history of kidney stones with \>60% calcium phosphate composition, prior 24 hour urine collection showing a urine pH of \>6.1, internet access to complete REDCap surveys Exclusion Criteria: * Any patient over the age of 90 years old, incarcerated or with any one or multiple of the features below: * struvite component on prior stone analysis * bacteria with urease producing organism at time of stone removal * history or evidence of systemic acidosis * use of acetazolamide, topiramate, zonisamide, valproic acid * Stage \>=3 CKD (GFR\<60) * Hepatic disease * Taking thiazide diuretics or alkali and not agreeable to holding medications for the study * Pregnancy * History of osteoporosis * Allergy to methionine, sulfa or sulfa-containing products * Allergy to any food products to be provided as part of the study * Dietary restrictions that would prevent eating the supplied food such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, kosher, etc. * Bipolar Disorder * Homocystinuria
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
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