Lengthening the small intestine to help patients with intestinal failure
Spring Mediated Enterogenesis
This study is exploring a new way to help people with short bowel syndrome by using special devices that gently stretch the small intestine, which could help them absorb more nutrients and rely less on feeding through IVs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10912633 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treat short bowel syndrome, a condition where patients cannot absorb nutrients due to a significantly shortened small intestine. The team has developed devices that apply gradual force to lengthen the small intestine, which has shown promising results in animal models. By enhancing the absorptive surface area of the intestine, this method aims to reduce the need for parenteral nutrition and improve the overall health of patients. The research will involve testing these devices in various animal sizes to optimize the lengthening process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with short bowel syndrome who experience malabsorption and are dependent on parenteral nutrition.
Not a fit: Patients with intact small intestines or those whose intestinal failure is not due to short bowel syndrome may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a curative therapy for patients suffering from short bowel syndrome, potentially allowing them to absorb nutrients normally and reduce reliance on parenteral nutrition.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown success in animal models using similar mechanical approaches to lengthen the intestine, indicating potential for this method in human applications.
Where this research is happening
Stanford, United States
- Stanford University — Stanford, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dunn, James C — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Dunn, James C
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 below.