Boosting Muscle Health by Supporting Cell Energy

Improving sarcopenia by targeting mitochondria

NIH-funded research Ohio State University · NIH-11126078

This project explores whether a special oil in the diet can help older adults with muscle weakness improve their strength and movement.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionOhio State University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11126078 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

As we get older, many of us experience sarcopenia, which is a natural loss of muscle mass and strength. While exercise helps, we need more ways to slow down this process. This project looks at whether a specific dietary oil, rich in linoleic acid, can improve muscle strength and how easily you move. Linoleic acid is an essential nutrient that helps your cells' energy factories, called mitochondria, work better. We will measure if this oil can boost muscle function and mitochondrial health in older adults.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants would be older men and women experiencing age-related muscle loss and weakness.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing sarcopenia or are outside the specified age range may not receive direct benefit from this particular intervention.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a new dietary strategy to slow or stop the progression of age-related muscle loss and improve quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: While promising results have been observed in animal models, this Phase II trial is a novel human investigation into the effects of LA-rich oil on sarcopenia.

Where this research is happening

Columbus, 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.