Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Veteran * Age 18-80 years; * Moderate to severe CKD at the time of screening, defined as one of the following: 1) Stage 3b or 4 CKD with latest eGFR of 25-59, with diabetes mellitus, OR 2) Stage 3b or 4 CKD with latest eGFR of 25 to 45 mL/min and maximum recorded albuminuria defined as urine albumin/creatinine ratio (UACR) of 30 mg/g, OR 3) Stage 3a CKD with eGFR 46-59 ml/min with urine albumin/creatinine (UACR) 100 mg/gm Exclusion Criteria: * G6PD deficiency or known hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline * Conventional contraindications for non-contrast MRI examination including * Permanent pacemaker * Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator * Significant fear of closed space * Claustrophobia that prevents patients from participating * Inability to lie down * Abnormal liver functions or diagnosis of cirrhosis * AST and ALT more than 1.5 times the normal or INR without being anti-coagulated greater than 1.4 * History of documented non-adherence to therapy * Inability to attend treatment or follow-up scheduling * Less than 6 months since initiation of 'Statins' * Prior history of any dialysis within last 12 months, or history of diagnosed AKI in the prior three months * History of acute cardiovascular event defined as: * myocardial infarction * stroke or new diagnosis of congestive heart failure or heart failure related admission in prior 3 months * History of prolonged QTc interval 450, For patients with BBB an adjusted QT interval \>450 * Known chronic active infections like HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C positive, chronic osteomyelitis etc. * Recent serious infection including requiring hospitalization within 3 months or Recent minor infection such as skin, soft tissue or respiratory infections within 30 days of enrollment * Active or recently treated (\< 1 year in remission) malignancy, transplantation, or systemic inflammatory diseases * Patients with localized squamous cell carcinoma of the skin are eligible * Use of systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppression within last 3 months (acute course of steroid for a gouty arthritis or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is eligible if \> 1 month ago) * Pregnancy, breastfeeding or planning to become pregnant during the course of the study * Life expectancy less than 12 months or uncontrolled congestive heart failure (CHF) * defined as more than 2 admissions in prior 6 months) * Any other condition the PI determines may put the research subject in jeopardy during the course of the study * Recent unexplained weight loss or vision changes