Genetic clues to heart health: how ANP and microRNA affect metabolism in adults
Official title: Atrial Natriuretic Peptide and Regulation of Cardiometabolic Health: A Genotype-Guided Human Physiological Study
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11352520 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in healthy adults looks at how a common ANP gene variant and a microRNA interact with glucose and exercise to influence heart-related metabolism and energy use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $709,272 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL163081-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11352520 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with diverse ANP genotypes who are willing to undergo genetic testing and metabolic challenge tests.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not fitting the adult age range or with conditions preventing participation in metabolic testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This study centers on adults and how their ANP hormone levels—shaped by a common gene variant—affect glucose handling, energy use, and overall cardiometabolic health. Researchers will explore how microRNA-425 changes ANP production and how this interacts with glucose intake and physical activity. The project uses genetic testing and physiological challenges (glucose challenge and exercise) to see how people with different ANP genotypes respond. Results could illuminate personalized approaches to preventing metabolic and heart disease. Participants may contribute blood samples, undergo metabolic testing, and perform exercise tasks as part of the protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to personalized strategies for preventing cardiometabolic disease based on a person’s ANP genotype and miR-425 activity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work linked ANP genetics to metabolic health, with this study extending to genotype-specific responses to glucose and exercise.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arora, Pankaj — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Arora, Pankaj
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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.