NIH-funded research R01 grant

Adipose tissue and inflammation in cutaneous leishmaniasis

Official title: Adipocytes and inflammation in the cutaneous leishmaniasis outcome

Funded at Federal University of Bahia · NIH-11398866 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This grant explores how fat tissue and inflammatory signals affect skin ulcers in people with cutaneous leishmaniasis, aiming to uncover why obesity may worsen the disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionFederal University of Bahia
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Salvador, Brazil)
Project startAugust 20, 2024
Project endJuly 31, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$120,226
NIH project number5R01AI183392-03
Project IDNIH-11398866 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Adults with cutaneous leishmaniasis who are obese and undergoing treatment in Brazil may be eligible.

Less likely to help

Non-obese CL patients or those without adipose-related inflammation may have limited direct benefit.

What this research studies

Researchers will study how adipose tissue and its signals, like leptin and lipid profiles, interact with the immune response during Leishmania braziliensis infection. They will analyze inflammatory cells in fat tissue from obese CL patients and examine how adipokines influence inflammation and healing. The project also looks at whether certain lipids can push macrophages toward a repair mode to improve outcomes. By linking adipose biology to disease severity, the work could reveal targets to reduce therapeutic failure in obese patients. The study is conducted in Brazil with timely relevance to patients who are affected by CL.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new ways to reduce skin ulcers and improve healing for obese CL patients.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work indicates inflammation and obesity can worsen CL, but this project adds adipose tissue–specific mechanisms.

Where this research is happening

  • Federal University of Bahia
    Salvador, Brazil
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Carvalho, Lucas P — Federal University of Bahia
  • Study coordinator: Carvalho, Lucas P

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • How body fat affects skin leishmaniasis outcomes

    This project looks at how fat tissue and fat-related molecules change inflammation and healing in people with cutaneous leishmaniasis, especially those who are overweight or obese.

    NIH research Federal University of Bahia · Salvador, Brazil · NIH-11173606

  • How fat cells and inflammation affect skin infections caused by Leishmania

    This study is looking at how being overweight might affect the healing of a skin infection called cutaneous leishmaniasis, by checking how fat cells and inflammation work together, and it aims to find ways to help people with this condition heal better and faster.

    NIH research Federal University of Bahia · Salvador, Brazil · NIH-10897397

  • Examining how social factors and healthcare programs affect HIV/AIDS in Brazil

    This study looks at how things like money support, healthcare access, and social factors affect people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil, aiming to find ways to improve their health and treatment outcomes.

    NIH research Federal University of Bahia · Salvador, Brazil · NIH-10817035

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.