Extra-small HDL (good cholesterol) and heart protection
Cardioprotection by extra-small HDL particles
This project looks at whether very small HDL ('good cholesterol') particles help protect adults with diabetes from heart attacks and other heart problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171535 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be part of research that measures different sizes and the protein makeup of HDL ('good cholesterol') in people with diabetes. Researchers will compare extra-small HDL levels in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and follow clinical heart outcomes. In the lab they will test how well these tiny HDL particles remove cholesterol from cells and use biochemical methods and mouse experiments to study what controls HDL size. The team will combine the patient and lab data to see if low extra-small HDL predicts heart attacks, revascularization, or cardiac death.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes (and possibly those with type 1 diabetes) who can provide blood samples and clinical follow-up would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: People without diabetes or whose heart disease is driven by causes unrelated to HDL biology may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better blood tests to predict heart risk in people with diabetes and new treatments that boost protective extra-small HDL.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work in people with type 1 diabetes and lab studies showed extra-small HDL promotes cholesterol removal and predicted heart events, but applying this to type 2 diabetes and developing therapies is still new.
Where this research is happening
Cincinnati, United States
- University of Cincinnati — Cincinnati, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heinecke, Jay W — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Heinecke, Jay W
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.