Gut microbiome metabolite 3-PPA helps beige fat and energy balance
Official title: Gut Microbiota-Derived 3-PPA as a Metabolic Modulator of Beige Adipogenesis and Energy Homeostasis
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11341044 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will look at how a gut-friendly chemical called 3-PPA may boost beige fat to burn calories and improve blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $786,728 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK146958-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11341044 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with obesity-related metabolic risks or adult-onset diabetes who are able to participate in metabolic studies and have no contraindications to study procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without metabolic dysfunction or those unable to participate in metabolic or immune studies may derive no direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores whether a gut microbiome metabolite, 3-PPA, can trigger beige fat cells to grow and help regulate energy use and insulin in people with obesity-related diabetes risks. Researchers will examine immune signals in fat tissue, focusing on how GPR40 in macrophages and CXCL13-Tfh cell interactions contribute to this process. The team plans experiments in cellular and animal models to map the pathways and then translate promising findings toward potential therapies for metabolic disease. If successful, the work could point to new approaches that harness the gut–immune–fat connection to improve glucose control.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to new ways to boost energy burning and glucose control through the gut–immune–fat axis.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests gut metabolites can influence fat and metabolism, but this specific 3-PPA–immune–adipose pathway is being explored
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Yuwei — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Yuwei
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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.