Investigating the role of a specific receptor in heart and liver diseases

Tissue-specific roles of FXR in CVD and NASH

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10908534

This study is looking at how a specific protein called FXR can help improve heart and liver health, especially for people dealing with high cholesterol and insulin resistance, by figuring out how it affects fat levels in the body and promotes healing.

Quick facts

Grant typeP01 program project
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10908534 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on understanding how the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) affects cardiovascular and liver diseases, particularly in conditions like hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance. The study aims to clarify the distinct roles of FXR in these diseases by examining its effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the body. Researchers will explore how FXR can promote healing in the liver and reduce the buildup of harmful fatty deposits in blood vessels. By dissecting these tissue-specific activities, the research seeks to uncover new therapeutic targets for treating cardiovascular and liver conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with cardiovascular diseases or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), particularly those experiencing hyperlipidemia or insulin resistance.

Not a fit: Patients with isolated liver diseases not related to metabolic conditions or those without cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that improve heart and liver health for patients suffering from related diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results with FXR agonists in reducing atherosclerosis and improving liver disease models, indicating a potential for success in this area.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.