A new study has found that a tiny molecule made by gut bacteria may play a hidden role in causing kidney failure in people with diabetes. They studied blood samples from patients with diabetes and found higher levels of corisin in those with kidney damage. “We believe corisin is a hidden cause of kidney damage in diabetes,” said Professor Isaac Cann from the University of Illinois. This fibrosis leads to kidney failure, a serious problem for many people with diabetes. “Right now, we have no treatment that can stop or reverse kidney scarring,” said Dr. Taro Yasuma, the lead author of the study.