New approach to severe malaria-related anemia using the body’s antioxidant balance
Official title: Gaining biological insights and identifying novel treatments for severe malarial anemia
Funded at Wake Forest University · NIH-11297682 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether boosting a key antioxidant in red blood cells can help prevent or reduce severe anemia in people with malaria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $363,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL177531-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11297682 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients with malaria who are at risk of or currently experiencing severe malarial anemia and who can safely receive metabolic or nutritional interventions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without malaria or those with conditions that preclude amino acid supplementation or redox-balancing strategies may not benefit.
What this research studies
Malaria can cause dangerous anemia, especially when the body’s red blood cells are stressed by the infection. The study focuses on how oxidative stress and the bystander effects contribute to red blood cell loss and explores whether L-glutamine, an amino acid, can help restore redox balance in patients. Researchers will examine how L-glutamine might influence glutathione production and oxidative stress in red blood cells, and how this relates to recovery after antimalarial treatment. The work is conducted in a clinical context to understand potential new ways to reduce the need for blood transfusions and improve outcomes for patients with severe malarial anemia.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could offer a new way to lessen severe anemia in malaria by supporting red blood cell health and reducing transfusion needs.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in related areas suggests redox balance and amino acid availability can influence red blood cell health, but application to severe malarial anemia is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cordy, Regina Joice — Wake Forest University
- Study coordinator: Cordy, Regina Joice
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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.