How alcohol and a high-fat diet affect liver immune cells

The Effect of Alcohol and High Fat Diet on Kupffer Cell Function

NIH-funded research University of Kansas Medical Center · NIH-11009934

This study is looking at how drinking alcohol and eating a high-fat diet affect special immune cells in the liver that help keep it healthy, which could explain why some people get serious liver problems while others don’t.

Quick facts

Grant typeFellowship grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Kansas City, United States)
Project IDNIH-11009934 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of alcohol consumption and high-fat diets on liver immune cells known as Kupffer cells, which play a crucial role in liver health. By using a mouse model, the study aims to understand how these conditions lead to liver inflammation and damage, particularly in cases of alcoholic hepatitis. The researchers will track the changes in Kupffer cells over time to determine how their depletion affects liver function and disease progression. This could provide insights into why some patients develop severe liver disease while others do not.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with alcohol-related liver disease or obesity-related liver conditions.

Not a fit: Patients without liver disease or those who do not consume alcohol or have obesity-related conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for liver diseases related to alcohol and obesity, improving patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding liver diseases related to alcohol and obesity, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Kansas City, 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 alcohol induced hepatic injuryalcohol induced liver disorderalcohol induced liver injury
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.