Copper balance in liver metabolism and fatty liver disease
Official title: Copper in nutrient metabolism and metabolic disease
Funded at University of Nebraska Lincoln · NIH-11210162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Poor copper balance in the liver may drive worsening fatty liver disease, and restoring copper could help liver health in people at risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Lincoln NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lincoln, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,057 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK144507-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11210162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for MASLD, particularly those with signs of hepatic copper imbalance or metabolic dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
People without MASLD or without copper-related metabolic issues may not benefit from this line of research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how copper levels in the liver affect fatty liver disease using mice and related models. Researchers will test how copper deficiency or restoration changes liver fat, inflammation, and liver function, and explore the cellular mechanisms involved. The study aims to connect copper balance with the progression from fatty liver to more serious liver injury, with potential ideas for new therapies. Results could guide future human studies on copper-related treatments for MASLD and help identify who might benefit most.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to copper-based strategies to prevent or slow MASLD progression in patients.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies have suggested copper status influences liver injury and MASLD progression, but human data remain limited.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Lincoln
Lincoln, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Jaekwon — University of Nebraska Lincoln
- Study coordinator: Lee, Jaekwon
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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.