Circadian disruption and air pollution link to cardiometabolic risk in people with HIV/AIDS
Official title: (CIRCADIAN) Circadian Disruption as Mediator of Cardiometabolic Risk in Air Pollution
Funded at Case Western Reserve University · NIH-11416438 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study exploring how sleep-wake cycles and circadian disruption interact with air pollution to affect heart and metabolic health in people with HIV/AIDS and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | July 17, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $921,204 |
| NIH project number | 5R35ES031702-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416438 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include adults living with HIV/AIDS or at high risk of cardiometabolic disease who are in areas with measurable ambient PM2.5 exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without significant exposure to air pollution or without cardiometabolic risk factors may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how exposure to fine air pollution (PM2.5) may disrupt circadian rhythms and contribute to heart and metabolic problems like insulin resistance. Using animal models and human trials, researchers will examine epigenetic changes and metabolic pathways to identify how pollution and circadian biology connect. The study builds on previous findings and plans coordinated investigations across exposure levels, with translational steps from lab work to human trials in vulnerable populations. Through collaboration with ongoing trials in Beijing, it aims to translate discoveries into strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to cleaner air strategies and circadian-based interventions that reduce heart and diabetes risk in people exposed to air pollution.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have linked PM2.5 to cardiovascular risk and circadian disruption; this project advances the mechanistic and translational steps to reduce risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajagopalan, Sanjay — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Rajagopalan, Sanjay
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.