How kisspeptin affects pregnancy metabolism
The Role of Kisspeptin in Metabolism Regulation
This work looks at how a placenta-made hormone called kisspeptin changes how a pregnant person's liver handles sugar and fats.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11311369 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers want to understand why pregnancy changes how the body uses glucose and makes ketones, and they think kisspeptin from the placenta is a key signal. They will use mouse models with and without the kisspeptin receptor in liver cells and studies in liver cells to see how kisspeptin turns on signaling pathways like AMPK and drives fat breakdown and ketone production. The team will measure liver glucose output, fat breakdown, and ketone levels during pregnancy-related conditions to link the molecular signals to whole-body metabolism. Findings will be compared back to what is known about rising kisspeptin levels in pregnant people to guide possible future human-focused work.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who are pregnant—especially in later pregnancy or those with pregnancy-related glucose or metabolic concerns—would be the most relevant group for related clinical follow-up or future trials.
Not a fit: Non-pregnant people, men, or pregnant people without metabolic issues are less likely to benefit directly from this mechanistic work in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If correct, this could point to ways to prevent harmful low blood sugar or excessive ketone production in pregnancy and improve fetal nutrient supply.
How similar studies have performed: Some preliminary animal and lab studies suggest kisspeptin affects metabolism, but its specific role in the pregnant liver and ketone production is largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hussain, Mehboob a — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Hussain, Mehboob a
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.