How choline and fat during pregnancy affect liver health in offspring

Interaction of Choline and Fat in the Prenatal Programming of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis

NIH-funded research Brooklyn College · NIH-11081719

This study is looking at how what moms eat, especially choline and fats, can affect their children's liver health and risk of developing a condition called NASH, especially if the mom is overweight, to find ways to help prevent this in kids.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBrooklyn College NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11081719 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the impact of maternal nutrition, specifically choline and dietary fats, on the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in offspring. It aims to understand how maternal obesity and choline supplementation can influence liver fat accumulation and metabolic health in children. By using animal models, the study will explore the epigenetic mechanisms through which choline affects lipid metabolism and gene expression. The goal is to identify potential interventions that could prevent NASH in children exposed to high-fat diets during pregnancy.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women, particularly those who are obese or at risk of metabolic disorders.

Not a fit: Patients who are not pregnant or those without a risk of obesity-related metabolic conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations for pregnant women that may reduce the risk of liver disease in their children.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in using maternal choline supplementation to improve metabolic outcomes in offspring, suggesting a potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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.
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.