How the cholesterol-making enzyme HMGCR affects dioxin-linked fatty liver disease
Project 3 - The role of HMGCR in Modulating TCDD-induced, AHR-mediated NAFLD
This work asks if changing HMGCR, the enzyme that makes cholesterol, changes how exposure to dioxin-like pollutants leads to fatty liver disease in adults.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Michigan State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (East Lansing, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11121938 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use lab-grown cells and animal models to see how exposure to dioxin-like chemicals and changes in the cholesterol enzyme HMGCR affect liver fat and damage. They will study how the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) changes cholesterol-making and other metabolic pathways inside cells. The team will test whether blocking HMGCR with statins alters liver fat caused by TCDD and will monitor signs of increased toxicity seen in earlier work. The goal is to understand whether shifts in cholesterol control make people more or less sensitive to pollutant-driven nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or people with known or suspected exposure to dioxin-like compounds would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without fatty liver disease or without relevant chemical exposure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify cholesterol-related targets or safety concerns that help prevent or treat pollutant-associated fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have performed: Epidemiological and animal studies have previously linked dioxin exposure to altered cholesterol and fatty liver, and early lab work shows statins can reduce dioxin-induced liver fat but may worsen toxicity, so parts of the approach have supporting evidence while safety concerns remain.
Where this research is happening
East Lansing, United States
- Michigan State University — East Lansing, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zacharewski, Timothy R. — Michigan State University
- Study coordinator: Zacharewski, Timothy R.
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.