How metabolism and environmental chemicals shape thyroid hormone activity
Metabolic and xenobiotic control of thyroid hormone metabolism
This work looks at how the body's metabolism and exposure to foreign chemicals change thyroid hormones and how that can affect liver and fat health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Texas Med Br Galveston NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Galveston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324669 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research uses laboratory models and molecular tests to follow how a brief surge of thyroid-hormone activity around birth changes liver cell DNA and long-term metabolism. Scientists created mice that lack a liver enzyme (Dio2) to see how reduced local thyroid hormone (T3) affects gene activity, DNA methylation, and adult risk of obesity, fatty liver, and high blood lipids. They measure gene expression, map DNA methylation sites, and examine liver and fat tissue function to connect early hormone signals with adult metabolic outcomes. Results are intended to reveal how early-life thyroid signaling can set lifelong metabolic health.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity, fatty liver disease, abnormal blood lipids, or known thyroid hormone disorders would be the most relevant people for related future human studies.
Not a fit: People without metabolic or thyroid concerns are unlikely to see direct benefits from this basic science project in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological steps that lead to obesity and fatty liver and point to new ways to prevent or treat metabolic liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal and molecular studies by this team and others have shown that changing local thyroid hormone production alters liver gene expression and metabolic outcomes, though translation to human treatments is still early.
Where this research is happening
Galveston, United States
- University of Texas Med Br Galveston — Galveston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bianco, Antonio C — University of Texas Med Br Galveston
- Study coordinator: Bianco, Antonio C
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.