Gut bacteria therapy for muscle wasting
Official title: Using the gut microbiome to treat skeletal muscle atrophy
Funded at University of Kentucky · NIH-11264924 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether changing gut bacteria can help prevent or reverse muscle wasting in people with cancer-related cachexia or disuse atrophy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $399,502 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR084282-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264924 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have muscle wasting from cancer cachexia or from prolonged inactivity or aging, especially those who cannot do intense exercise, would be the most likely candidates for future trials.
✕Less likely to help
People whose muscle loss is caused by genetic muscle diseases, complete nerve transection, or other unrelated acute injuries may not benefit from a microbiome-based approach.
What this research studies
Researchers are exploring how gut microbes and their metabolites influence skeletal muscle mass and strength. In laboratory work they use antibiotics, exercise-trained donor microbiomes, and microbial transplants in mice to find bacteria or compounds that protect or restore muscle. The team will trace which microbial changes map to better muscle growth and look for molecules that could be given as therapies. The goal is to develop treatments that could work alongside or instead of exercise for people who cannot exercise enough.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new therapies that preserve or improve muscle mass and strength in people with cancer cachexia or disuse-related atrophy.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies have shown that the gut microbiome can affect muscle, but human testing of microbiome-based muscle therapies remains limited and early-stage.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Kentucky
Lexington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mccarthy, John Joseph — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Mccarthy, John Joseph
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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.