Metformin’s effects on liver fat through the small intestine
Official title: Investigating the involvement of small intestine in metformin's effect on hepatic lipid metabolism
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11357647 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new NIH grant is exploring how metformin changes fat metabolism in the liver and whether the small intestine plays a key role, with potential implications for treating fatty liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $385,560 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150985-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357647 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with or at risk for NAFLD/MAFLD and who could participate in future translational or clinical studies related to metformin’s metabolic effects.
✕Less likely to help
People without NAFLD or related metabolic conditions may not experience direct benefit from this basic science grant.
What this research studies
This project examines how metformin influences hepatic lipid metabolism and how the intestine may be involved in mediating those effects. Researchers will use advanced metabolic analyses to quantify changes in liver fat production and fat burning in vivo. They plan to study intestinal AMPK activity and its role in metformin’s systemic effects, using animal models and comprehensive omics approaches to map metabolic pathways. The goal is to understand whether targeting the gut-liver axis could improve outcomes for people with fatty liver disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could guide new strategies to treat NAFLD by optimizing metabolic pathways in the liver and intestine.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show metformin can affect liver metabolism, but the exact intestinal role and quantitative effects remain to be clarified; this study aims to build on that foundation.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xiaojing — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xiaojing
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Brewing anti-toxin drugs using probiotic yeast
A studying team will develop probiotic yeast–based anti-toxin drugs to help treat gut bacterial infections and reduce antibiotic-related complications.
-
Small Ruminant Therapeutic Center to Speed Safe Drugs for Sheep and Goats
A pilot project at a university will help scientists and veterinarians speed up and improve how drugs are tested and approved for sheep and goats.
-
Metabolic effects of PFAS exposure in the Cape Fear Basin (GenX Exposure Study)
This NIH grant studies how PFAS chemicals in drinking water may affect metabolism and weight-related health in adults and children living along the Cape Fear River.
-
Understanding how Fe/2OG enzymes make pharmacophores like cyclopropane, aziridine, and isonitrile groups
A research project at a university aims to uncover how nonheme-iron enzymes create key drug-building rings and groups to help develop better biocatalysts and medicines.
-
Hemostatic B-knob Microgels for Pediatric Bleeding
A kid-friendly hemostatic therapy using age-tuned microgels to stop dangerous bleeding after injury in children.
-
How cyanotoxins may harm nerve cells in ALS
This grant studies how shared toxins from cyanobacteria might worsen nerve damage in people with ALS.
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.