Gut Restore-PAH: Microbiota Transplant to Help Pulmonary Angiopathy
Official title: A Pilot Study of Microbiota Transplant with Antibiotic Preconditioning and Fiber Supplementation in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (GUT RESTORE-PAH)
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11354274 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small pilot study will test whether transplanting healthy gut bacteria, with antibiotics beforehand and fiber support, can help people with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $226,766 |
| NIH project number | 1R34HL186228-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11354274 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension who meet study criteria and are eligible for microbiota transplant procedures.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who cannot tolerate antibiotics or transplant procedures or who have contraindications to the protocol may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores a new approach for PAH by altering the gut microbiome to reduce inflammation and improve outcomes. Participants will receive encapsulated donor bacteria after a short antibiotic preconditioning, followed by fiber supplementation, and will be monitored for safety, microbiome changes, and inflammatory markers. The study builds on a prior small trial showing safety and hints of reduced inflammation, aiming to expand engraftment and potential clinical benefits. Researchers will collect stool samples and blood tests to track microbiome composition and immune responses over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could lessen inflammation and possibly improve symptoms or disease progression for PAH patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small studies suggested safety and transient anti-inflammatory effects, but larger efficacy data are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thenappan, Thenappan — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Thenappan, Thenappan
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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.