How fat tissue affects bone growth

Bone-Adipose Interactions During Skeletal Anabolism

NIH-funded research University of Maryland Baltimore · NIH-10868493

This study is looking at how exercise and certain hormones can help build strong bones and how fat in our bodies affects this process, especially in people with obesity, to better understand how to keep our bones healthy.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Maryland Baltimore NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Baltimore, United States)
Project IDNIH-10868493 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between bone and fat tissue, focusing on how signals like exercise and parathyroid hormone can stimulate new bone formation. It examines how fatty acids from fat tissue are used as energy for bone-building cells called osteoblasts. By using special mouse models, the study will explore what happens to bone formation when fat metabolism is altered. The goal is to understand the physiological networks that maintain bone health and how obesity may negatively impact bone growth.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting bone health or those who are obese and may be at risk for bone-related issues.

Not a fit: Patients who are not experiencing bone health issues or metabolic dysfunction may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for improving bone health, especially in individuals with obesity or metabolic disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the interactions between fat and bone tissue, but this specific approach is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Baltimore, 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 2026-06-09 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.