Fat-linked amino acids and fatty liver with heart disease risk

Lipidated Amino Acids in Cardiometabolic Diseases

NIH-funded research Louisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport · NIH-11324547

This work looks at whether changes in fat-linked amino acids made in the liver are tied to fatty liver disease and a higher risk of clogged arteries.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLouisiana State Univ Hsc Shreveport NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Shreveport, United States)
Project IDNIH-11324547 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will compare liver tissue and blood samples from people with and without non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD/NASH) to measure levels of N-acyl amino acids and related gene activity. They will use metabolomics and transcriptomics to find which enzymes and pathways that make or break these molecules are altered in disease. Lab models (including mice) will be used to test how changing these fat-linked amino acids affects liver inflammation and artery plaque formation. The goal is to find pathways that could be targeted to help both fatty liver and accelerated atherosclerosis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with NAFLD or NASH, especially those who also have signs of atherosclerosis or cardiovascular risk, would be the most relevant candidates.

Not a fit: People without fatty liver disease or whose artery disease is unrelated to these metabolic pathways may not gain direct benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new drug targets or blood markers to treat or predict both fatty liver disease and related heart disease.

How similar studies have performed: Some prior studies have linked N-acyl amino acids to metabolism, but applying this knowledge to jointly target NASH and atherosclerosis is largely new.

Where this research is happening

Shreveport, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.