How genes and heavy metals affect liver disease
Official title: Interaction between Genome and Heavy Metals in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at Wayne State University · NIH-11128507 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain genes and heavy metals in the liver might affect people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which is a common condition with no approved treatments yet, to help find better ways to diagnose and manage it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wayne State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Detroit, United States) |
| Project start | June 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $586,862 |
| NIH project number | 5R01ES034410-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128507 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those with known exposure to heavy metals.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without a diagnosis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or those not exposed to heavy metals may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the interactions between specific genes and heavy metals in the liver to understand their role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is a common chronic condition affecting a significant portion of the population, and currently, there are no approved drug treatments available. The study aims to identify genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to NAFLD, focusing on how heavy metals accumulate in the liver and their impact on liver health. By analyzing liver tissues from patients, the research seeks to uncover critical insights that could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for managing NAFLD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new ways to diagnose and treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, improving health outcomes for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been some research on the effects of heavy metals on liver health, this study aims to provide novel insights into the specific gene-metal interactions in NAFLD, making it a potentially groundbreaking investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Wayne State University
Detroit, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Wanqing — Wayne State University
- Study coordinator: Liu, Wanqing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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NAFLD in PCOS: Do androgens drive liver injury and fatty liver progression?
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How genes and heavy metals influence fatty liver disease
This project looks at how a person’s genes and the amounts of metals in their liver together relate to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Gm4951 gene and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the Gm4951 gene affect how much fat builds up in the liver for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
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.