How Smoking Affects the Rotator Cuff Tendon-Bone Attachment
Official title: Effects of Smoking on the Rotator Cuff Tendon-Bone Enthesis
Funded at Clemson University · NIH-11413732 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how cigarette smoking changes the healing and strength of the tendon–bone connection in the shoulder after injury, using a smoking chamber and rat models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Clemson University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Clemson, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $218,765 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM121342-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413732 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with rotator cuff injuries or at risk due to smoking history could be involved in future translational or clinical discussions related to treatments and recovery.
✕Less likely to help
This research is primarily preclinical; individual patients may not directly benefit during the study.
What this research studies
If you’ve ever had a rotator cuff tear, you know how important a strong tendon–bone connection is for a good recovery. This research uses a realistic smoking setup in animals and combines experimental observations with computer models to map how smoke exposure changes the tiny structures at the tendon attachment and how these changes translate into mechanical weakness. The team aims to connect structural shifts at the enthesis with the likelihood of poorer healing after repair. Results could help explain why smoking raises the risk of worse outcomes and guide strategies to protect shoulder health. The study is centered at Clemson University under the leadership of Zhaoxu Meng and plans a rigorous, integrated approach over several years.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding smoking’s impact on shoulder healing could lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for patients who smoke and suffer rotator cuff injuries.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal and modeling studies have shown smoking can affect tissue healing, but this project advances understanding of mechanism-specific changes.
Where this research is happening
-
Clemson University
Clemson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Meng, Zhaoxu — Clemson University
- Study coordinator: Meng, Zhaoxu
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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.