How arsenic affects muscle communication and contributes to heart and metabolic diseases
Dysfunctional skeletal muscle communication in arsenic-promoted cardiometabolic disease
This study is looking at how being around arsenic might affect your muscles and metabolism, which are important for keeping your heart healthy and preventing diabetes, so we can better understand how this exposure could lead to serious health problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11083701 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to arsenic impacts muscle health and metabolism, which are critical for preventing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms by which arsenic disrupts muscle cell function and communication with other organs, potentially leading to conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. The study will analyze changes in muscle composition and mitochondrial function in response to arsenic exposure, aiming to uncover the underlying biological processes involved. By identifying these mechanisms, the research seeks to provide insights into how environmental factors contribute to serious health issues.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include adults who have been exposed to arsenic through drinking water and are experiencing symptoms related to muscle decline or metabolic disorders.
Not a fit: Patients who have no history of arsenic exposure or those with unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating cardiovascular and metabolic diseases linked to environmental arsenic exposure.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that environmental toxins can significantly impact muscle health and metabolic function, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Barchowsky, Aaron — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Barchowsky, Aaron
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.