How bile acids and sphingosine-1-phosphate affect fatty liver (NASH)
Bile Acids and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
This project looks at how bile acids and a fat-signaling molecule called sphingosine-1-phosphate change liver cells in people with NASH to find new treatment leads.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Veterans Administration Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11212757 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, researchers are tracing how normal and altered bile acids send signals in the liver that can drive inflammation and scarring in NASH. They will use patient-derived samples (blood and liver tissue) alongside laboratory models to follow signaling pathways such as S1PR2, AKT, and ERK1/2. The team aims to identify specific molecular steps that could be targeted by drugs to reduce liver injury and fibrosis. Results will guide future therapies designed to slow or reverse disease progression.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or biopsy-proven NASH, especially veterans receiving care at the Richmond VA, would be the most likely candidates to participate or provide samples.
Not a fit: People without fatty liver disease, those whose liver disease is primarily alcohol-related, or patients with advanced liver cancer are unlikely to benefit directly from this mechanistic work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new drug targets that slow or reverse NASH and reduce progression to cirrhosis or liver cancer.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies support roles for bile acid and S1P signaling in liver metabolism and injury, but translating these pathways into effective clinical treatments remains largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- VA Veterans Administration Hospital — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Huiping Rose — VA Veterans Administration Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Huiping Rose
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.