Investigating how chemicals in the environment affect heart disease risk
Official title: Role of PXR in EDC-induced cardiovascular disease
Funded at University of California Riverside · NIH-11074560 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain chemicals in our environment might affect heart health by interacting with a specific part of our body, and it's aimed at helping us understand the risks of heart disease so we can find better ways to prevent it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Riverside NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Riverside, United States) |
| Project start | June 5, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $841,485 |
| NIH project number | 5R35ES035015-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11074560 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who may be at risk for cardiovascular diseases due to environmental factors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any risk factors for cardiovascular disease or who are not exposed to EDCs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD). The study focuses on how these chemicals interact with a specific receptor in the body, known as the pregnane X receptor (PXR), which may influence heart health. By using various mouse models, the researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms through which EDCs contribute to heart disease and dyslipidemia. This work is crucial for understanding the health risks associated with environmental exposures and could lead to better prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and prevention of heart disease linked to environmental chemical exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in understanding the impact of environmental chemicals on health, but this specific approach focusing on EDCs and cardiovascular disease is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Riverside
Riverside, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhou, Changcheng — University of California Riverside
- Study coordinator: Zhou, Changcheng
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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.