n-3 fats and GLP-1 drugs to help AUD and alcoholic liver disease
Official title: n-3 PUFA supplementation and GLP-1 receptor agonists in AUD and ALD
Funded at University of Louisville · NIH-11232903 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aims to test whether omega-3 fats plus a GLP-1 drug can reduce drinking and liver damage in people at risk for alcohol use disorder and alcoholic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2016 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $282,602 |
| NIH project number | 2P50AA024337-11 |
| Project ID | NIH-11232903 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and/or Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (ALD) who are interested in novel therapeutic options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not experiencing AUD/ALD or who cannot tolerate GLP-1-based therapies or omega-3 supplementation may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project explores whether adding omega-3 fatty acids to a GLP-1-based treatment can protect the liver and reduce alcohol use by improving gut-liver health. Researchers will study how this combination affects liver and intestinal injury, as well as the body’s GLP-1 signaling pathways. The goal is to build a scientific foundation for personalized therapies that could help patients with AUD and ALD, potentially lowering relapse risk and improving liver outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to new, more effective treatments to reduce alcohol consumption and protect the liver.
How similar studies have gone: Early research suggests combined nutritional and GLP-1 strategies can influence gut-liver health, but this exact combination is under investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Louisville
Louisville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kirpich, Irina a. — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Kirpich, Irina a.
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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.