How gut bacteria affect muscle loss during sepsis
Official title: The Gut Microbiome and Acute Muscle Loss in Sepsis
Funded at University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11141710 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect muscle loss in people who are dealing with sepsis, with the hope of finding ways to help keep muscles strong and improve recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project start | July 22, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $166,452 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AR083005-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141710 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include critically ill patients diagnosed with sepsis who are experiencing muscle loss.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not critically ill or do not have a diagnosis of sepsis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of gut microbiota in muscle loss experienced by patients suffering from sepsis. By examining the relationship between specific gut bacteria and body composition, the study aims to understand how these microorganisms influence the body's metabolic response during sepsis. The researchers will utilize advanced sequencing techniques to analyze gut bacteria in human patients and explore potential therapeutic interventions to mitigate muscle loss. The ultimate goal is to develop strategies that can help preserve muscle mass and improve recovery outcomes for sepsis patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help prevent muscle loss in patients with sepsis, improving their recovery and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of gut microbiota in muscle loss has been explored in animal models, this research is novel as it aims to investigate these interactions in human sepsis patients.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dickson, Robert Pickett — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Dickson, Robert Pickett
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding the Gut Microbiome in Sepsis-Related Kidney Injury
This research explores how the bacteria in your gut might influence why some people with severe infections develop kidney damage.
-
Understanding how gut bacteria affect muscle loss after sepsis
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect muscle loss after a serious infection called sepsis, and it's for people who are recovering from this condition to help find ways to keep their muscles healthy.
-
Investigating the gut microbiome's role in kidney injury during sepsis
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect kidney problems in people with sepsis, and it aims to find out which specific bacteria could help predict how serious those kidney issues might be.
-
How antibiotics affect the gut bacteria and immune system in premature infants with infections
This study is looking at how antibiotics affect the gut bacteria and immune system of premature babies who might get infections, using a special mouse model to help understand the best ways to treat these little ones.
-
Role of blood flow mechanics and transfusion in sepsis-related tiny-cl vessel clots
A patient-focused look at how red blood cell flow and transfusions might influence tiny blood vessel clots and organ problems in sepsis.
-
STeroids and enhanced Antibiotics for sepsis in Africa with HIV/TB (STARS)
This grant tests whether adding steroids and stronger antibiotics helps adults with severe sepsis tied to HIV/TB in areas with high TB rates.
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.