Boosting NAD to help blood sugar control in aging and obesity
Official title: Targeting NAD Metabolism to Improve Glucose Homeostasis in Obesity and Aging
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11251780 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project is trying to see if raising levels of a molecule called NAD can help older adults and people with obesity keep their blood sugar more stable.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2013 |
| Project end | December 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $776,955 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK098656-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11251780 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be older adults or people with obesity who have problems with blood sugar control, such as prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
People without metabolic or glucose-control issues, or whose conditions are unrelated to NAD pathways, may not see benefit.
What this research studies
You would be told that researchers are working to raise NAD levels in cells and tissues to understand how that affects glucose metabolism. They combine laboratory experiments in cells and animal models with analysis of human tissue samples or clinical data to connect molecular changes to blood sugar outcomes. The team tests nutrient-like NAD precursors and tracks which organs and enzymes respond so they can pinpoint sites of action. Results are intended to clarify whether NAD-based supplements or therapies might help people and which approaches deserve human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to NAD-based treatments or supplements that improve blood sugar control and metabolic health in older or obese people.
How similar studies have gone: High-dose NAD precursor studies have produced promising metabolic benefits in animal models, but clear, consistent benefits in humans remain limited and under study.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Baur, Joseph a. — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Baur, Joseph a.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.