SAN ANTONIO -- Marcelo Jimenez is among thousands of San Antonians who suffer from kidney problems due to diabetes.

Every time he visited his doctor, he was told his kidneys were getting worse and he would need to undergo dialysis.

But his kidneys seem to be improving thanks to a new drug being tested at the Diabetes and Glandular Disease Clinic in San Antonio.

Dr. Sherwyn Schwartz said the drug, which doesn't have a name yet, is the first medication that shows sign of reversing kidney damage.

The drug has helped Jimenez so much that he no longer has to start dialysis.

For some people, participating in a brand new drug study can be a risky endeavor, but in Jimenez's case it proved worthwhile.

"I mean, there's gotta be someone who will try it out or else we won't succeed," said Schwartz.

Researchers are looking for more participants who have kidney disease and are at risk of undergoing dialysis treatment, but have not yet received the treatment.

For more information on participating in the study, call 210-615-5555.