How the body clock and gut microbes affect the gut–pancreas connection in aging
Impact of Circadian-Microbiome Interaction on the Gut-Pancreas Axis in Aging
['FUNDING_U01'] · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · NIH-11372091
This project looks at whether disruptions in daily rhythms and changes in gut bacteria lead to leaky intestines, chronic inflammation, and pancreas problems as people age.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_U01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (HOUSTON, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11372091 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers will combine lab and clinical work to trace how sleep‑ and meal‑timing changes alter the gut microbiome and the intestinal barrier as we get older. They will study how those changes drive inflammation that can harm the pancreas, using animal models, microbiome analyses, and human tissue or sample comparisons. The team will also test how lifestyle factors such as diet and eating time influence these processes. Findings will aim to link daily routines and gut health to risks like poor insulin secretion and age‑related pancreatic disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would be older adults with disrupted sleep or eating schedules, metabolic risk factors (like prediabetes), or interest in providing samples for microbiome and gut‑health studies.
Not a fit: People seeking immediate clinical treatment for advanced pancreatic disease or those without age‑related metabolic or gut issues are unlikely to receive direct therapeutic benefit from this mechanistic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to simple lifestyle or microbiome‑targeted strategies to reduce inflammation and protect pancreatic and metabolic health in older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies have linked circadian disruption and microbiome shifts to inflammation and metabolic problems, but applying these findings specifically to pancreatic aging and cancer risk is a newer area of research.
Where this research is happening
HOUSTON, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON — HOUSTON, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BISHEHSARI, FARAZ — UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- Study coordinator: BISHEHSARI, FARAZ
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: Cancer Induction, Cancers