Metabolite biomarkers to spot and classify osteoarthritis early

Metabolomic Profiling to Identify Candidate Biomarker Profiles and Molecular Endotypes for Osteoarthritis

NIH-funded research Montana State University - Bozeman · NIH-11145222

Looks at whether patterns of small molecules in joint fluid and blood can spot and classify osteoarthritis earlier in people with joint pain.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMontana State University - Bozeman NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Bozeman, United States)
Project IDNIH-11145222 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

Researchers will collect synovial (joint) fluid and blood plasma from people with different degrees of osteoarthritis and analyze small-molecule (metabolite) patterns using advanced metabolomics techniques. They will compare metabolite profiles to clinical measures and imaging to find panels that track disease grade and distinct molecular subtypes (endotypes). The goal is to identify signatures that reveal early-stage OA or different biological forms of the disease. These findings would be used to guide future tests that could be done from a blood draw or joint sample.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with suspected or diagnosed knee or hip osteoarthritis who are willing to provide blood and, when clinically appropriate, joint (synovial) fluid samples.

Not a fit: People without osteoarthritis, those with other inflammatory joint diseases, or anyone unwilling or unable to provide blood or joint fluid samples are unlikely to benefit from participation.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could enable earlier diagnosis and more personalized treatment or monitoring for people with osteoarthritis.

How similar studies have performed: Metabolomics for osteoarthritis is a promising and active area of research with some supportive association studies, but no metabolite panel has yet been validated for routine clinical use.

Where this research is happening

Bozeman, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 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.