How obesity harms blood vessels in belly fat
Obesity-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction in Arteries of Visceral Adipose
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE · NIH-11191484
This project looks at whether a fat-uptake protein called CD36 and a blood-flow channel named Kir2.1 explain why obesity weakens the lining of blood vessels in belly fat in adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11191484 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team will compare small arteries from visceral (belly) fat and subcutaneous (under-skin) fat to learn why vessels in belly fat stop widening with increased blood flow in obesity. They will study the activity of Kir2.1 channels and the role of the fatty-acid receptor CD36 using experiments in mice and analyses of adult human tissue samples. The researchers will test whether blocking CD36 or restoring Kir2.1 function can rescue blood vessel responses in obese visceral fat. Results are intended to reveal specific mechanisms that could be targeted to protect blood vessels in people with obesity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults with obesity who can donate visceral fat during abdominal or bariatric surgery, or adults willing to provide subcutaneous fat samples for comparison.
Not a fit: People without excess visceral (belly) fat or those who cannot provide tissue samples are unlikely to participate or directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to protect or restore blood-vessel function in people with obesity, lowering cardiovascular risk.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab work links Kir2.1 to flow-induced dilation and implicates CD36 and fatty acids in vascular harm, but applying these findings to visceral arteries in obesity is a new and not-yet-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE — Newark, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: FANCHER, IBRA — UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE
- Study coordinator: FANCHER, IBRA
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.
Conditions: Cardiovascular Diseases