How sex hormones affect heart and metabolic health
Sex-Specific Risk of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Disease
This project looks at how male and female sex hormones change metabolism and the risk of heart disease, especially why men get coronary heart disease earlier in life.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11443376 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone concerned about heart or metabolic disease, this work explores why men have higher early coronary heart disease risk even though sex hormones can help metabolism. The team uses humanized mouse models that carry the human CETP gene alongside lab studies of liver and muscle to see how androgens and estrogens change fat handling, glucose use, and triglyceride levels. They compare males and females and link those changes to obesity, fatty liver, diabetes, and atherosclerosis to find sex-specific pathways. Findings could point to drug targets or prevention strategies tailored by sex.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with or at risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, or fatty liver—especially men with early-onset coronary disease—would be most relevant.
Not a fit: People without metabolic or cardiovascular risk factors, children, or conditions unrelated to sex hormone pathways may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to sex-specific prevention or treatments for heart disease, fatty liver, and diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab and animal work, including studies with humanized CETP mice, have shown sex-hormone effects on metabolism, but translating those findings into human therapies is still largely unproven.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stafford, John Michael — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Stafford, John Michael
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.