Investigating how alcohol affects gut health and liver disease
Official title: Role of Intestinal Autophagy in the Pathogenesis of Alcohol Associated Liver Disease
Funded at Auburn University at Auburn · NIH-10875386 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how drinking alcohol affects your gut and liver health, especially how it can lead to liver disease, and it aims to find new ways to help people with alcohol-related liver problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Auburn University at Auburn NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $471,559 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AA030571-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875386 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who consume alcohol and are at risk for liver disease or have been diagnosed with alcohol-associated liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have liver disease unrelated to alcohol may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the impact of alcohol consumption on the gut and liver, focusing on how alcohol disrupts the intestinal barrier and leads to liver disease. By examining the role of autophagy, a process that helps maintain gut health, the study aims to identify the mechanisms that contribute to alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new treatment strategies for ALD, as the research seeks to uncover potential targets for therapy. The approach includes both laboratory studies and analysis of biological samples to understand the relationship between alcohol intake, gut health, and liver function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that prevent or reverse alcohol-associated liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of gut health in liver disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Auburn University at Auburn
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomes, Paul Gideon — Auburn University at Auburn
- Study coordinator: Thomes, Paul Gideon
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.