Investigating how dietary cholesterol affects liver disease through gut bacteria
Official title: The role of dietary cholesterol in Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through the action of gut microbiota
Funded at University of Wisconsin-Madison · NIH-10948915 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the food we eat, especially cholesterol in a Western diet, affects liver health and the role of gut bacteria in this process, which could help find new ways to prevent or treat liver diseases like NAFLD and NASH.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $36,863 |
| NIH project number | 5F31DK135385-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948915 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for or diagnosed with Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those with dietary habits high in cholesterol.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver disease caused by factors other than diet, such as viral hepatitis or alcohol consumption, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research explores the connection between dietary cholesterol and Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), focusing on how gut microbiota may influence this relationship. By examining the effects of a Western diet on gut bacteria, the study aims to uncover mechanisms that contribute to the development of NAFLD and its more severe form, Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The research utilizes animal models to analyze changes in gut microbial populations and their potential role in liver disease progression. Understanding these interactions could lead to new dietary strategies to prevent or treat NAFLD/NASH.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new dietary recommendations or interventions that help prevent or manage Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: While there are many ongoing studies related to NAFLD, this specific investigation into the role of dietary cholesterol and gut microbiota is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hermanson, Jake Brenner — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Hermanson, Jake Brenner
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Gut microbiome and Parkinson's disease: how gut bugs relate to symptoms and progression
A multi-year study will look at gut bacteria and related markers in people with Parkinson’s disease to understand how the gut-brain connection may influence symptoms and progression.
-
Gut-Brain Axis in Parkinson’s Disease: biomarkers and procedures to track progression
A patient-focused program to study how gut health and the brain interact in Parkinson’s disease using biomarkers and clinical procedures.
-
Vitamin D, gut bacteria and dementia risk in older adults with HIV
This work will look at whether low vitamin D and changes in gut bacteria are linked to higher dementia risk in older adults living with chronic HIV and similar community members.
-
Gut bacteria and lung immune cells shape viral lung infections
A study explores how gut microbes affect lung immune cells and severity of respiratory viral infections to identify potential ways to reduce illness.
-
Gut bacteria and Tuft-2 cells linked to early colorectal cancer risk in young Black Americans
This grant aims to understand how gut microbes and Tuft-2 cells may predict aggressive colon adenomas in young Black adults who develop colorectal cancer.
-
Gut bacteria, HIV, and alcohol: how microbes affect gut health in people with HIV
This NIH grant studies how alcohol use and HIV together affect the gut’s bacteria and barrier, exploring a possible way to reduce gut inflammation in people living with HIV.
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.