Impact of Exercise on Aging Stem Cells in Diabetes and Heart Disease
Official title: Impact of Exercise Adaptations on the Aging Stem Cell
Funded at Wichita State University · NIH-11381963 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher at Wichita State University is studying how endurance exercise might influence aging stem cells in the body, with potential benefits for people with adult-onset diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wichita State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Wichita, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $172,648 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM154750-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381963 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be adults with or at risk for adult-onset diabetes and cardiovascular disease who are interested in understanding how exercise impacts aging at the cellular level.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to exercise or those without interest in lifestyle interventions may derive less direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses fruit-fly models to explore how long-term exercise affects aging stem cells related to gut and reproductive tissues, focusing on signaling pathways that change with age. The goal is to understand whether exercise can preserve stem cell function and healthspan, which could reduce risk of chronic diseases. The study translates basic findings into insights about aging and metabolic/cardiovascular health that may eventually inform human approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could guide lifestyle strategies to maintain healthy aging and reduce complications from diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in model organisms shows that aging and exercise influence stem cell signaling; this study builds on those findings in a specific aging context.
Where this research is happening
-
Wichita State University
Wichita, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Loganathan, Rajprasad — Wichita State University
- Study coordinator: Loganathan, Rajprasad
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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.