How the NRF2 protein affects muscle loss in older adults with obesity
Official title: The Role of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related factor 2 in Sarcopenic Obesity
Funded at University of Oregon · NIH-11396441 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries to see whether boosting a natural antioxidant regulator called NRF2 can protect muscle and the cell powerhouses (mitochondria) in older adults with obesity-related muscle loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oregon NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Eugene, United States) |
| Project start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AG083239-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11396441 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are older adults who have both obesity and measurable loss of muscle mass or strength (sarcopenic obesity) who could provide samples or join future clinical tests.
✕Less likely to help
People without obesity, without age-related muscle loss, or much younger adults are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers will examine how reduced NRF2 contributes to oxidative stress, damaged mitochondria, and muscle cell loss in people with sarcopenic obesity. They will use human muscle samples along with laboratory cell and animal models that change NRF2 levels to mimic aging muscle. The team will test drugs or genetic approaches that increase NRF2 activity to see if those treatments lower oxidative damage and preserve mitochondrial health. Outcomes will include measures of mitochondrial number and function, markers of cell stress and death, and indicators of muscle strength or quality.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that help older adults with obesity keep more muscle, strength, and independence.
How similar studies have gone: Related approaches to boost NRF2 have shown promise in lab and animal studies, but clear benefits in people are not yet established.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oregon
Eugene, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dantas, Wagner Silva — University of Oregon
- Study coordinator: Dantas, Wagner Silva
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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.