Copper supplementation in cirrhosis: a small trial to see if it helps health and feel better
Official title: A pilot randomized controlled trial to determine the biochemical effect, safety and patient reported outcomes of copper supplementation in cirrhosis
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11400284 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small randomized trial will test whether adding copper helps people with cirrhosis feel better and stay safer from infections and complications.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $309,957 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK142802-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400284 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with cirrhosis who are being followed clinically and are eligible for the trial after screening.
✕Less likely to help
Some participants may not experience benefits or may experience adverse effects from copper supplementation.
What this research studies
This study tests whether giving copper to adults with cirrhosis can improve nutritional status, reduce infections, and improve patient-reported outcomes. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive copper or usual care, with safety monitoring and regular check-ins. The trial builds on prior observations that copper deficiency may be linked to worse outcomes in cirrhosis and aims to see if correcting copper levels can influence health and daily functioning. The results could inform future nutritional guidelines for people living with advanced liver disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, copper supplementation could become a simple way to support health and reduce complications in cirrhosis.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests copper status is linked to outcomes in cirrhosis, but large randomized trials are needed to confirm benefit.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yu, Lei — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Yu, Lei
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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.