How loss of reproductive hormones affects energy, belly fat, and heart/metabolic health
Bioenergetic and Cardiometabolic Consequences of the Loss of Gonadal Function
This center looks at how the drop in ovarian hormones in midlife women changes energy use, increases belly fat, and raises risk for heart and metabolic problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11163358 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you are a woman going through menopause, this center studies how the decline in ovarian hormones affects your energy balance, abdominal fat, and cardiometabolic health. Researchers combine lab work (cells and animal models) with clinical studies in people, using metabolic testing, imaging, and blood or tissue samples to link biological mechanisms to patient changes. The program also supports and trains new investigators in sex-differences research so future studies and care better reflect women's biology. Overall, the center connects basic science and human studies to understand why menopause increases risk for metabolic and heart disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be midlife women who are peri- or post-menopausal or have loss of ovarian function and who are willing to take part in clinical visits, testing, or donate blood/tissue samples.
Not a fit: People who are premenopausal, young, or who do not have changes in gonadal function or abdominal/metabolic concerns are unlikely to get direct benefit from this program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better ways to prevent or treat abdominal fat gain and cardiometabolic problems that happen after ovarian failure or menopause.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown links between menopause and increased abdominal fat and cardiometabolic risk, but targeted mechanistic therapies are still limited and this program builds on those findings.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- University of Colorado Denver — Aurora, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kohrt, Wendy M — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Kohrt, Wendy M
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.