Conjugated bile acids as natural antihypertensive helpers
Official title: Conjugated bile acids as nutritionally re-programmable antihypertensive metabolites
Funded at University of Toledo Health Sci Campus · NIH-11365918 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying whether certain gut-made bile acids can help control high blood pressure in a rat model that mimics human hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo Health Sci Campus NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | July 16, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $736,484 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL171401-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365918 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be individuals with hypertension or those at risk who might benefit from therapies influencing bile acid metabolism or gut microbiota in the future.
✕Less likely to help
People without hypertension or those not affected by bile acid metabolism may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores how gut bacteria and the liver work together to produce conjugated bile acids and how these compounds might lower blood pressure. Using a well-established rat model of human hypertension, the team will examine why these bile acids are reduced in hypertension and whether boosting them can lower blood pressure. The work combines metabolomics, microbiome analysis, and animal studies to test the idea that these acids could be a new metabolic route to control hypertension. If the findings translate to humans, this could point to new dietary or microbial strategies to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new ways to manage high blood pressure by targeting gut bacteria and bile acid metabolism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies suggest a link between gut microbiota, bile acids, and blood pressure, but this approach is relatively novel and exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Joe, Bina — University of Toledo Health Sci Campus
- Study coordinator: Joe, Bina
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.