Finding bacteria to create a probiotic that boosts nitric oxide levels in the body
Official title: Identification of bacterial strains for development of an oral probiotic aimed at increasing nitric oxide bioavailability
Funded at Wake Forest University · NIH-10846606 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how some good bacteria in your mouth can help turn the food you eat into important substances that your body needs, and it aims to create a probiotic that could help people with conditions like anemia and heart failure by boosting these helpful bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $223,916 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DE032197-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10846606 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from conditions related to low nitric oxide levels, such as anemia, heart failure, or other cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have issues related to nitric oxide deficiency or those who are not interested in probiotic treatments may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how certain bacteria in the mouth can help convert dietary nitrate into nitrite and nitric oxide, which are important for various bodily functions. The study aims to identify specific bacterial strains that can effectively perform this conversion and develop them into probiotics. By enhancing the presence of these beneficial bacteria, the research hopes to improve nitric oxide bioavailability, which is crucial for conditions like anemia and heart failure. Patients may benefit from a new probiotic treatment that could help restore nitric oxide levels in their bodies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new probiotic treatments that improve nitric oxide levels, potentially alleviating symptoms of various diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using probiotics to influence nitric oxide levels, indicating that this approach may be viable.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kim-Shapiro, Daniel B — Wake Forest University
- Study coordinator: Kim-Shapiro, Daniel B
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.