Mimicking fasting effects to treat heart muscle diseases

Treating secondary cardiomyopathies by mimicking the adaptive hepatic glucose fasting response

NIH-funded research Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-11190523

This study is looking at how a natural sugar called trehalose might help treat heart muscle diseases by mimicking the benefits of fasting, which could protect your heart after events like heart attacks.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIndiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Indianapolis, United States)
Project IDNIH-11190523 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how mimicking the body's response to fasting can help treat heart muscle diseases, particularly those related to cardiometabolic issues. The approach focuses on activating liver glucose metabolism, which has shown promise in animal models for protecting the heart from damage after events like heart attacks. By using a natural sugar called trehalose, the research aims to replicate the benefits of intermittent fasting, potentially leading to new therapies for patients with heart conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with cardiometabolic diseases or those at risk of developing heart muscle conditions.

Not a fit: Patients with non-cardiometabolic related heart issues or those who do not respond to dietary interventions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments that protect the heart and improve outcomes for patients with cardiometabolic diseases.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results using fasting and caloric restriction approaches in animal models, suggesting potential for success in human applications.

Where this research is happening

Indianapolis, 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.