Improving Bone Strength for Older Adults
Official title: PKG Regulation of Sirtuin 1 as a Novel Treatment Strategy for Age-related Osteoporosis
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11086095 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks for new ways to strengthen bones and prevent bone loss in older adults by focusing on specific body signals and a potential new treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2021 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $455,817 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG070778-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086095 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research aims to benefit older men and women who experience age-related bone loss or osteoporosis in the future.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with osteoporosis not related to aging or those who do not experience bone loss would likely not benefit from this specific approach.
What this research studies
Age-related osteoporosis affects millions of older men and women, leading to fractures and limited treatment options. This project explores how a natural signaling pathway, called NO/cGMP/PKG, can boost bone formation and prevent bone loss. We are also focusing on a protein called Sirtuin1 (SIRT1), which naturally decreases with age and contributes to bone weakness. By understanding how these pathways interact and developing a new compound, NO-Cbi, we hope to find better ways to keep bones strong as we age.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new, more effective treatments for age-related osteoporosis with fewer side effects than current options.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies in animal models have shown promising results with similar approaches to enhance bone formation and prevent bone loss.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pilz, Renate B — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Pilz, Renate B
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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.