Gut bacteria and heart disease: promising new pathways to reduce atherosclerosis and clots
Official title: Gut microbial PAG generation in atherosclerosis and thrombosis
Funded at Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11335426 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researchers team is studying how certain gut bacteria make chemicals that may influence heart disease and clotting, with findings that could lead to new ways to prevent or treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | May 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $403,851 |
| NIH project number | 2P01HL147823-06A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11335426 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults at risk for or diagnosed with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease who consent to participate in studies involving collection of clinical data and, potentially, biospecimens.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals with conditions unrelated to heart disease or those unwilling to participate in research or provide samples may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on how gut microbes produce metabolites that act like hormones and affect heart disease and clot formation. Researchers will study specific gut enzymes in animal models of atherosclerosis and thrombosis and test how changing these microbial pathways changes disease outcomes. They will also look for links between these microbial activities and human heart disease in large clinical studies. The work uses a combination of animal experiments, cellular systems, and human data to understand mechanisms and identify potential targets for therapy. The aim is to translate microbial chemistry into strategies that reduce cardiovascular risk in people.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new therapies or dietary strategies that modulate gut microbes to lower heart attack and stroke risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows a gut-derived metabolite linked to cardiovascular disease, suggesting this approach could translate to therapies.
Where this research is happening
-
Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
Cleveland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hazen, Stanley L — Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru
- Study coordinator: Hazen, Stanley L
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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.