GIP and blood pooling in the gut: a potential driver of POTS symptoms
Official title: Mechanism of Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) on Splanchnic Venous Capacitance in Postural Tachycardia Syndrome
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11357569 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant studies how a glucose-driven hormone affects blood flow and heart rate in adults with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome to explain why meals can worsen symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $815,766 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL159203-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357569 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with POTS or related orthostatic intolerance who can complete a glucose challenge and postural assessments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without POTS or with conditions that preclude safe participation in a glucose challenge or upright testing.
What this research studies
In adults with POTS, standing often triggers lightheadedness and fast heartbeats. The project looks at how glucose intake changes blood distribution, especially in the splanchnic vessels, and how this relates to keeping blood pressure and heart rate stable after meals. Using human participants, the team will measure hemodynamic and neurohormonal responses after a glucose challenge to understand the mechanism behind post-meal symptom exacerbation. Findings could point to targets to prevent or reduce orthostatic intolerance in POTS patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding this mechanism could lead to new strategies to prevent meal-related symptom flares in POTS.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary human studies have shown postprandial changes in heart rate and blood pooling in POTS, supporting further exploration of the mechanism.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shibao, Cyndya Adriana — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Shibao, Cyndya Adriana
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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.