Gut microbes that produce ethanol and how they affect alcohol use and liver disease
Official title: Role of gut microbial ethanol production in alcohol use disorder and alcohol-associated liver disease
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11416638 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant studies whether bacteria in the gut that make ethanol can influence alcohol use and liver disease in people, including those with Autobrewery Syndrome and alcohol use disorder.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $247,736 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA031328-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11416638 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates may include adults with Autobrewery Syndrome or alcohol use disorder, particularly those with suspected gut microbial contributions to ethanol production and liver disease progression.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without gut microbiome differences or without alcohol-related liver disease may have limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will study how ethanol produced by gut microbes may drive liver disease and alcohol-related problems. They have preliminary data showing ABS patients’ gut bacteria produce more ethanol and that mice with humanized high-ethanol bacteria show more alcohol use and liver inflammation. The study will examine human gut microbes from ABS and alcohol use disorder patients to understand host effects and potential pathways. This work could uncover new ways to prevent or treat alcohol-related liver disease by targeting the gut microbiome.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new microbiome-based approaches to reduce liver inflammation and risky drinking behaviors in people with alcohol-related diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in ABS and humanized-mutant mice suggest the concept is promising, with some early validation but requires confirmation in larger groups.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsu, Cynthia Li-Shin — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Hsu, Cynthia Li-Shin
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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.