Gut bacteria fats that drive inflammation in diabetes and heart disease

Gut Microbe-Derived Lipids Shape Chronic Inflammation in Cardiometabolic Disease

NIH-funded research Cleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru · NIH-11325047

This project tests whether a gut microbe-made fat called N-oleoyl serinol can calm the inflammation linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, and artery disease.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCleveland Clinic Lerner Com-Cwru NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cleveland, United States)
Project IDNIH-11325047 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers found that certain gut microbe-produced lipids are lower in people with obesity-related heart problems and can signal through the host receptor GPR119. The team will use new methods to raise levels of these N-acyl amides and study their effects on inflammation and metabolism. Most work will use preclinical mouse models of obesity, diabetes, and atherosclerosis while linking findings to human blood measurements. The goal is to understand how microbe-to-host signaling might be used to reduce harmful chronic inflammation.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with obesity-related type 2 diabetes or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease would be the most relevant candidates for related sample collection or future trials.

Not a fit: People without metabolic or cardiovascular disease, such as healthy young adults, are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that reduce chronic inflammation and lower complications from diabetes and heart disease.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show gut microbial metabolites can influence host metabolism, but targeting N-acyl amide signaling through GPR119 is a relatively new approach with limited human testing so far.

Where this research is happening

Cleveland, 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 MellitusAtherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 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.