Methionine restriction to protect the gut after radiation
Official title: Methionine metabolism in the acute response to radiation in the gut
Funded at Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis · NIH-11399987 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This NIH grant tests whether reducing methionine in the diet can protect the gut from damage after high-dose radiation, using animal models to study GI-ARS.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Little Rock, United States) |
| Project start | August 25, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $153,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI193494-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399987 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of or having suffered GI-ARS who could benefit from dietary strategies in future studies.
✕Less likely to help
This approach is in early stages in animals and may not apply to all patients or disease contexts.
What this research studies
This project looks at ways to reduce damage to the gastrointestinal tract after radiation exposure. Researchers will test a methionine-restricted diet to see if it preserves the lining of the gut and lowers inflammation after radiation. They will use animal models with total body or partial body irradiation to compare standard versus low-methionine diets. The goal is to identify a potential radioprotective strategy that could help people who have had radiation exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, a methionine-restricted approach could improve gut integrity and reduce complications after radiation exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data in animals suggest methionine restriction may improve intestinal barrier function after radiation, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
Little Rock, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Racine Miousse, Isabelle — Univ of Arkansas for Med Scis
- Study coordinator: Racine Miousse, Isabelle
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.