Preventing artery re-narrowing after vascular surgery by boosting gut-derived butyrate
Targeting the Meta-organismal Butyrate Pathway to Prevent Arterial Restenosis after Vascular Surgery
Seeing if increasing a gut-made molecule called butyrate can help keep arteries open after procedures like angioplasty, stenting, or bypass.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11057599 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are looking at how gut bacteria that make butyrate influence healing inside arteries after surgery. In mice, removing gut microbes or lowering butyrate changed how much re-narrowing (neointimal hyperplasia) occurred, and giving butyrate reversed those effects. The team studies the artery receptor FFAR3 and how butyrate changes the behavior of endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and immune responses after injury. Findings could point to treatments such as dietary, probiotic, or drug approaches to reduce restenosis after vascular procedures.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People having arterial procedures like balloon angioplasty, stenting, or surgical bypass who face a risk of restenosis would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: Patients without arterial procedures or whose artery problems arise from causes unrelated to inflammation or microbiome-driven pathways are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways (dietary, microbial, or drug-based) to lower the risk that arteries narrow again after vascular surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies by the team showed that butyrate and the gut microbiome affect restenosis, but translating this approach to human treatment is largely novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ho, Karen J. — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Ho, Karen J.
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 below.