How redox balance and a sugar tag (O-GlcNAc) affect alcohol-related fatty liver
Official title: Redox Regulation of O-GlcNAcylation Signaling in the Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11324191 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are examining whether changes in liver oxidative balance and a protein sugar tag called O-GlcNAc influence fat buildup in people who drink alcohol.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2022 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $376,875 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA028859-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324191 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with alcohol-associated fatty liver disease or heavy alcohol use could be the kinds of patients who might benefit from follow-up clinical trials stemming from this research.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without alcohol-related liver disease or those with very advanced cirrhosis may not directly benefit from these basic science findings in the short term.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the liver's antioxidant system (glutathione) and a cellular modification called O-GlcNAc change the way alcohol causes fat to collect in the liver. Investigators use genetically altered mice and molecular, metabolomic, and multi-omics approaches to map signaling pathways such as AMPK and NRF2 that respond to low glutathione. They focus on post-transcriptional changes and redox-sensitive protein modifications that might protect the liver or be targeted by therapies. The goal is to identify new preventive, diagnostic, or treatment targets for alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new biomarkers or treatment targets to prevent or reduce alcohol-related fatty liver.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research links oxidative stress, glutathione, AMPK, and NRF2 to alcohol liver injury, but targeting redox-regulated O-GlcNAc signaling is a newer and less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Ying — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Chen, Ying
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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.