How alcohol changes liver protein chemistry and defenses
Alcohol Metabolism Disrupts Hepatic Thiol Redox Signaling and Control
Looks at how drinking alcohol alters liver proteins and protective chemistry in people with alcohol-related liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11259526 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's viewpoint, researchers are examining how the liver's handling of alcohol changes tiny protein switches called thiols and chemical tags called acetylation that help protect cells. They use lab models (cells and likely animal tissues) and molecular techniques to map which liver proteins change when alcohol is processed. The team will compare normal and alcohol-exposed liver systems to see how these changes could lead to tissue damage and disease. Understanding these steps could point toward ways to prevent or reduce alcohol-related liver injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with alcohol-associated liver disease or heavy drinkers at risk of developing liver damage who might provide samples or later join related clinical work.
Not a fit: People without alcohol-related liver problems or those with irreversible, end-stage liver disease (advanced cirrhosis) are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic science work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new molecular targets to prevent or treat alcohol-associated liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has linked oxidative stress and protein acetylation to liver injury, but this specific focus on thiol redox control in alcohol metabolism is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fritz, Kristofer S — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Fritz, Kristofer S
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 below.