Investigating how to protect muscle function during sepsis
Official title: Targeting mitochondrial permeability transition to attenuate adverse muscle impact in sepsis
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10950721 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how sepsis can harm your muscles and make it harder to recover from serious illnesses, and it aims to find new ways to protect your muscles and help you heal better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $193,188 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR084591-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10950721 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with sepsis who are experiencing muscle dysfunction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sepsis who do not exhibit muscle-related complications may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding how sepsis negatively affects skeletal muscle, which can lead to severe health issues such as difficulty in recovering from mechanical ventilation and increased mortality. The study explores a specific cellular event called mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) that may contribute to muscle dysfunction and inflammation during sepsis. By examining the mechanisms behind mPT, the researchers aim to identify potential treatments that could mitigate muscle damage and improve overall patient outcomes. This approach involves studying the role of certain proteins and cellular processes in muscle cells during sepsis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help preserve muscle function and reduce complications in patients suffering from sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on mitochondrial permeability transition in skeletal muscle during sepsis is relatively novel, similar approaches have shown promise in other tissues affected by sepsis.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hepple, Russell T — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Hepple, Russell T
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Role of blood flow mechanics and transfusion in sepsis-related tiny-cl vessel clots
A patient-focused look at how red blood cell flow and transfusions might influence tiny blood vessel clots and organ problems in sepsis.
-
STeroids and enhanced Antibiotics for sepsis in Africa with HIV/TB (STARS)
This grant tests whether adding steroids and stronger antibiotics helps adults with severe sepsis tied to HIV/TB in areas with high TB rates.
-
Steroids and better antibiotics for sepsis in people with AIDS in Africa
This study tests whether adding hydrocortisone and stronger antibiotics can improve survival for adults with sepsis who also have AIDS or advanced immune suppression in regions with high TB.
-
Coordinating ARDS, Pneumonia, and Sepsis research to improve care
A national coordinating center helps researchers studying ARDS and related infections work together more efficiently to learn what helps patients recover.
-
Role of MMP3 in heart dysfunction during sepsis
This research tests whether blocking MMP3 can protect the heart and improve survival during sepsis in adults.
-
Sepsis patient care guided by Ugandan-wide immune profiling
A large NIH-funded study will map how the immune system behaves during sepsis in people in Uganda to improve personalized care for sepsis patients.
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.