Nitric Oxide Pathway as a Target for Male BPH and LUTS in Aging
Official title: Nitric Oxide-Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Pathway as a Target for Male Bladder Outlet Obstruction and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Aging
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11365206 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program exploring how a nitric oxide pathway might help men with aging-related urinary symptoms from enlarged prostate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | August 19, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $698,978 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134386-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365206 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults 21 years and older with BPH/LUTS who may have limited response to current therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without BPH/LUTS or those not likely to benefit from NO–cGMP pathway–targeted approaches may see no benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how the nitric oxide–soluble guanylate cyclase pathway could influence bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms in men as they age. It aims to identify mechanisms behind why current treatments sometimes fail and to inform more personalized options with fewer sexual side effects. The study will use human data and samples to better understand how this pathway affects inflammation, fibrosis, and nerve signaling in the aging prostate and bladder. Results could guide future therapies or combination treatments that improve daily living for men with BPH/LUTS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new or improved treatments that reduce urinary symptoms and the need for surgery in aging men.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research supports NO–cGMP signaling as relevant in urinary tract health, but translating this to effective clinical therapies remains an area of active development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kanai, Anthony John — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Kanai, Anthony John
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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.