Or olive-oil derived compound to prevent bone loss in women
Official title: An Oleoyl Serine Derivative as an Innovative Therapeutic Approach for Osteoporosis
Funded at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center · NIH-11440446 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A safe, orally taken nutraceutical may help prevent osteoporosis in adult women by supporting bone formation and reducing bone loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $430,816 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AR088602-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11440446 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates would be adult women at risk for osteoporosis, or individuals interested in future trials of this preventive approach.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have advanced osteoporosis or who cannot take oral nutraceuticals may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project tests an olive-oil–based compound, HU-671, in mice to see if it can keep bones strong and prevent osteoporosis from developing. The study focuses on how the compound behaves in the body, how it affects bone-building cells, and how it balances bone-resorbing cells. If promising, it could pave the way for a preventive treatment that women could take before fractures occur. Researchers will use female mice to model human bone health and examine bone density and structure over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to an easy, daily pill that helps prevent osteoporosis and fractures in women.
How similar studies have gone: Prior studies show OS and HU-671 influence bone formation and resorption in animal models, with some positive effects on bone density.
Where this research is happening
-
Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bouxsein, Mary L — Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Bouxsein, Mary L
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
When to stop, switch, or pause long-term osteoporosis medicines for older adults
This project looks at whether stopping, switching, or taking breaks from long-term osteoporosis drugs changes fracture risk and side effects for older adults.
-
Cortical Bone Mechanics Technology to better screen for osteoporosis
A new noninvasive test called CBMT uses ulnar flexural rigidity to predict fracture risk better than standard bone density tests, helping adults who may be at risk for osteoporosis.
-
Gene therapy for osteoporosis linked to ALDH2 deficiency in postmenopausal East Asian women
A gene therapy approach is being developed to reduce osteoporosis risk in postmenopausal East Asian women who have ALDH2 deficiency and drink alcohol.
-
Metabolomics clues to osteoporosis risk in diverse populations
A study using small molecules in blood samples to understand osteoporosis risk, with a focus on aging, ethnicity, and sex differences.
-
Single-Cell Study of Bone Cells to Understand Osteoporosis
Researchers will study individual bone-related cells from people to uncover why aging leads to weaker bones and higher fracture risk.
-
Gut bacteria and osteoporosis risk: what gut microbes may mean for your bone health
A large study will look at how gut bacteria relate to bone density and fracture risk, with the goal of better understanding who is at risk and how to protect bones.
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.