Directory section navigation

Profile

Harold Franch MD

  • Department of Medicine
    Professor
Head shot of Harold Franch

Overview

Dr. Franch runs a laboratory looking at the influence of dietary protein on chronic kidney disease. His NIH funded work focuses on the role of protein metabolism in the development of diabetic renal hypertrophy and possible links to early diabetic kidney damage. He has discovered pathways of protein breakdown that are suppressed by diabetes including chaperone-mediated autophagy and macroautophagy. He is examining in the response of these pathways to growth factors, acid-base changes and alterations in dietary protein intake. He also contributes to a program project grant examining the role of acidosis and insulin resistance in the muscle wasting seen in diabetes and chronic kidney disease. In clinical research, he is interested in whether dietary protein intake or net acid load of diet influences kidney disease development and progression.

Dr. Franch has served as director of the Emory Kidney Stone Prevention clinic since 1997. The clinic takes a holistic approach including diet, lifestyle interventions, management of complicating diseases, and medications to reduce the number of kidney stones. He manages associated disorders such as renal tubular acidosis, interstitial nephritis, renal sarcoidosis, hyperoxaluria (primary and intestinal), and cystinuria. He is an expert in protein metabolism and serves as the President of the International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism.

Dr. Franch serves at the Atlanta VA Medical Center in the general Nephrology clinic, dialysis unit, general consult, and internal medicine wards.

Academic Appointment

  • Professor of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine

Education

Degrees

  • MD from Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania

Research

Publications

Read more publications