How metals in drinking water may harm heart and metabolic health
Causal Molecular Mechanisms Linking Drinking Water Metal Exposures to Cardiometabolic Disease
This project looks at how long-term exposure to arsenic and uranium in well water may lead to heart disease and diabetes in communities that drink that water.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124914 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know researchers are using mouse models that mimic how people in the Northern Plains are exposed to arsenic and uranium in well water. They expose mice to similar levels of these metals, including actual well water samples collected from the region, to observe effects on the heart, blood vessels, and metabolism. The project compares early-life versus lifelong exposures and tests whether dietary folate can reduce arsenic-related harm. Learning the molecular changes could point to prevention steps or treatments for people who drink contaminated groundwater.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who drink well water in the Northern Plains with known arsenic or uranium contamination—especially members of affected Native American communities and those with heart disease or diabetes—are most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: People whose heart or metabolic conditions are unrelated to metal exposure or who do not consume contaminated groundwater are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify biological targets and practical steps (like dietary or exposure changes) to prevent or reduce metal-related heart disease and diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological studies have linked arsenic and uranium in drinking water to higher rates of heart disease and diabetes, but using human-relevant animal models to pinpoint causal molecular mechanisms and test interventions is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Re, Diane Berengere — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Re, Diane Berengere
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.