Lipid signals that control acetyl-CoA and fat metabolism in NAFLD
Official title: Lipid Mediated Control Transfer of Acetyl CoA Metabolism in the Pathogenesis of NAFLD
Funded at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11591466 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study exploring how membrane lipids influence acetyl-CoA metabolism to understand and potentially treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 1996 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $754,719 |
| NIH project number | 7R01DK048873-31 |
| Project ID | NIH-11591466 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with NAFLD or at risk for NAFLD who would benefit from future therapies targeting lipid metabolism.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without NAFLD or metabolic disorders may not directly benefit from this specific mechanism-focused research.
What this research studies
This project examines how fats and membrane lipids affect nutrient balance in the liver and body during overnutrition. Researchers will investigate Acot12, an enzyme in liver and intestine, and how it controls acetyl-CoA use for fat creation and for turning genes on or off through acetylation. By testing mechanisms in health and states of overnutrition, the study aims to identify new targets for therapy that could improve lipid and glucose balance. The work builds on solid preliminary data and uses biological models to uncover how lipid regulation translates into metabolic changes relevant to NAFLD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could reveal new metabolic targets to prevent or treat NAFLD by modulating lipid–acetyl-CoA pathways.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work suggests lipid–acetyl-CoA pathways influence liver metabolism, but this exact mechanism is being tested for the first time in this context.
Where this research is happening
-
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cohen, David E. — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Cohen, David E.
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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.