Calorie reduction to lower inflammation in aging tear glands
Investigating the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of calorie restriction in the aged lacrimal gland
Seeing if eating fewer calories can reduce inflammation in the tear-producing glands that cause dry eye in older adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Scripps Research Institute, the NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11285471 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From the patient perspective, researchers are studying how a lower-calorie diet affects inflammation inside the lacrimal gland, which makes the watery layer of your tears. In lab models, they compare older animals fed normally to those on a long-term calorie-restricted diet and use single-cell RNA sequencing to see which cell types and pathways change. The team is focusing on metabolism, inflammasome activation, and signaling through PPAR-α as possible drivers of age-related inflammation. Findings will be used to point toward dietary strategies or drug targets to protect the tear gland with aging.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with age-related dry eye or reduced tear production who are interested in research that could lead to nutritional or molecular treatment options.
Not a fit: People whose dry eye is mainly caused by autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s, eyelid structural problems, or contact lens–related issues may not benefit from a calorie-focused approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to dietary changes or new drug targets that reduce inflammatory dry eye in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies, including the investigators' preliminary mouse data, show calorie restriction can reverse age-related lacrimal gland changes, but translation to humans has not yet been shown.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- Scripps Research Institute, the — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Makarenkova, Helen P. — Scripps Research Institute, the
- Study coordinator: Makarenkova, Helen P.
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 below.