Adiponectin to improve blood vessel health in aging

Role of Adiponectin in Reversal of Age-related Vascular Dysfunction

NIH-funded research Kansas State University · NIH-11235122

Seeing if increasing a hormone called adiponectin helps older adults' blood vessels become healthier after aerobic exercise.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionKansas State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Manhattan, United States)
Project IDNIH-11235122 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This work looks at whether the hormone adiponectin helps reverse age-related changes in arteries and explains why late-life aerobic exercise improves blood-vessel function. Researchers will track adiponectin levels and measures of artery health such as blood vessel function, inflammation, and stiffness before and after exercise interventions and in laboratory models. The team will use blood tests, imaging, and cellular studies to link adiponectin signaling with improvements in the arteries. Findings could point to ways to mimic exercise benefits for older people who cannot exercise enough.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be older adults with age-related declines in blood-vessel function or those willing to join a late-life aerobic exercise program.

Not a fit: Younger people without age-related vascular changes or individuals with acute, unstable cardiovascular conditions are unlikely to benefit from this specific research approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new therapies or strategies that restore blood-vessel health in older adults by targeting adiponectin pathways.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show aerobic exercise improves artery health and raises adiponectin levels, but directly proving adiponectin causes reversal of vascular aging is largely new.

Where this research is happening

Manhattan, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.