How heavy drinking leads to alcoholic ketoacidosis
Study of alcoholic ketoacidosis in mice
Researchers will use mice to learn how binge or chronic heavy drinking with poor nutrition causes dangerous acid and ketone buildup that affects people who drink heavily.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Emory University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330361 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project uses a mouse model designed to mimic chronic and binge alcohol use combined with fasting to reproduce alcoholic ketoacidosis. Scientists will measure blood bicarbonate, ketone levels, liver energy stores, and hormone changes, and track signs like rapid heart rate, abdominal pain, and agitation in the animals. By comparing alcohol-fed mice to controls, they will map the steps that lead to the high anion gap metabolic acidosis seen in patients. The findings aim to reveal targets for preventing or treating this alcohol-related metabolic emergency in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant to people with heavy or binge alcohol use, alcohol dependence, malnutrition, or a prior episode of alcoholic ketoacidosis.
Not a fit: People whose acidosis is caused by other conditions (for example diabetic ketoacidosis) or who do not drink alcohol are unlikely to directly benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify biological steps that lead to alcoholic ketoacidosis and point to new ways to prevent or treat this dangerous condition.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical descriptions of alcoholic ketoacidosis exist from older patient reports, but direct mechanistic testing is novel and this mouse model approach is a new effort to define causes.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Emory University — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Choi, Inyeong — Emory University
- Study coordinator: Choi, Inyeong
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 below.