Early liver transplant for severe alcoholic hepatitis — animal work
Project 4-Early Liver Transplantation for Severe Alcoholic Hepatitis: Animal Studies
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · NIH-11101272
This project uses animal models to learn how chronic or recent heavy drinking affects liver transplant results for people with severe alcoholic hepatitis.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11101272 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers transplant rat livers to mimic early liver transplantation for severe alcoholic hepatitis and compare outcomes when recipients have been exposed to alcohol versus not. They study whether ongoing alcohol use changes rejection, how well the liver regenerates after a smaller transplant, and how immunosuppressive drugs work in that setting. The team is looking at immune cell behavior, especially neutrophils and oxidative injury, to find biological reasons some patients do well without long pre-transplant abstinence. Findings aim to explain clinical observations and guide safer transplant timing and donor choices.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This work is most relevant to patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis who are candidates for or interested in early liver transplantation.
Not a fit: People without alcoholic liver disease or those not facing transplant decisions are unlikely to see direct benefit from this animal-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians choose better timing, donor types, and post-transplant care for people with severe alcoholic hepatitis.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical programs have reported promising outcomes for early liver transplant in select patients, and this animal research builds on those clinical observations to explore underlying biological mechanisms.
Where this research is happening
BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES
- JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY — BALTIMORE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: SUN, ZHAOLI — JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: SUN, ZHAOLI
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.
Conditions: Alcoholic Liver Diseases