How fat tissue affects inflammatory bowel disease
Official title: Interaction of Mesenteric Adipose Tissue Physiology, Expansion, and Inflammation with Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Funded at Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. · NIH-11291136 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the fat around your intestines might affect the severity of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, especially in people who are obese, to help find better ways to manage or treat these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Piscataway, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | February 28, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $160,757 |
| NIH project number | 7K01DK131252-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11291136 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease who also have obesity or excess abdominal fat.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without inflammatory bowel disease or those who are not affected by obesity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between mesenteric adipose tissue, which is the fat surrounding the intestines, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The study aims to understand how obesity and inflammation in this fat tissue can influence the severity and progression of IBD. By isolating different types of cells within the mesenteric fat, researchers will explore how these cells interact and contribute to the disease. This could lead to new insights into how to better manage or treat IBD in patients with obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment strategies for patients with inflammatory bowel disease, particularly those who are also dealing with obesity.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown a strong link between obesity and inflammatory bowel disease, suggesting that this research builds on established findings rather than exploring a completely novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
Piscataway, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gliniak, Christy M — Rutgers, the State Univ of N.j.
- Study coordinator: Gliniak, Christy M
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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.