A method of treating or preventing kidney injury includes administering to a patient an effective amount of bile acid, a salt thereof, an analog thereof, or a combination thereof. Methods of preventing or retarding, reversing or abolishing the onset of kidney injuries are discussed. This is achieved through the administration of a bile acid, a salt of the bile acid, an analog of the bile acid or any combinations of these compounds. The bile acid abolishes or interferes or down-regulates metabolic pathways leading to the onset of kidney injury. The bile acid also activates metabolic pathways leading to the slowing or reversing or complete abolishment of the progression of acute kidney injury.
