Investigating bile acids and a specific signaling molecule in liver disease
Official title: Bile Acids and Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
Funded at VA Veterans Administration Hospital · NIH-10950309 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain substances in the body, like bile acids and sphingosine-1-phosphate, influence the worsening of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a serious liver condition, to help find new ways to treat it for people living with this disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Veterans Administration Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | October 1, 2022 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX005730-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950309 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis or those at risk of developing liver disease due to metabolic syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with alcoholic liver disease or other liver conditions unrelated to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of bile acids and sphingosine-1-phosphate in the progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a severe form of liver disease. The study aims to explore how these molecules affect liver metabolism and immune responses, which could lead to new therapeutic strategies. By examining the pathways involved in liver disease progression, the research seeks to identify potential targets for treatment. Patients with NASH may benefit from insights gained through this research, which could inform future therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for patients suffering from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and related liver diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of bile acids in liver disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Veterans Administration Hospital
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Huiping Rose — VA Veterans Administration Hospital
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Huiping Rose
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of metabolic stress in NASH-related liver cancer
This grant explores how metabolic stress linked to NASH may drive liver cancer and looks for ways to interrupt that process to help patients.
-
TREM2: a helper in liver inflammation and scarring in NASH
A new approach studies how a liver immune receptor called TREM2 helps protect against liver inflammation and scarring in people with fatty liver disease that can progress to NASH.
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Genes behind fatty liver disease and NASH
This project looks at how specific genes change fatty liver disease and scarring to help guide better tests and treatments for people with NAFLD/NASH.
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Ex-vivo bioengineered liver cells to study NASH-related dysfunction
Researchers will use patient-derived stem cell–made liver cells in a lab setup to understand why NASH causes liver damage and how stiffness of the liver’s surroundings affects this process.
-
How TREM2 on immune cells affects fatty liver disease (NASH)
This project looks at whether the immune protein TREM2 helps drive liver inflammation and scarring in people with NASH.
-
New small-molecule medicines that stabilize Axin to treat non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)
Trying new small-molecule drugs that stabilize Axin to lower liver fat and scarring for people with NASH.
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.