Probiotics to Lower Heart Disease Risk for People with HIV and Heavy Drinking
Official title: Microbiome, Metabolites, and Alcohol in HIV to Reduce CVD (Supplement)
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11550807 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A probiotic program is tested in people with HIV who drink heavily to see if it can improve gut health and lower markers linked to heart disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | P01 program project |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 2, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $781,176 |
| NIH project number | 3P01AA029542-05S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11550807 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy who drink heavily and have CD4+ counts ≥350 cells/mm³.
✕Less likely to help
People who do not have heavy drinking patterns or HIV may not benefit from this specific probiotic approach.
What this research studies
This project builds on a large study to see if a probiotic tailored for alcohol-related gut imbalance can reduce inflammation and harmful metabolites in people living with HIV who also drink a lot. Participants will have stool and blood samples checked at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months to track gut health, inflammation, and heart-disease risk. All participants receive counseling for alcohol use as part of standard care. The study aims to show improvements in gut balance, less microbial translocation, and better metabolic profiles that may translate to lower cardiovascular risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could reduce heart disease risk among people with HIV who drink heavily.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in HIV and alcohol use suggests gut and metabolic changes can be modified, but this exact probiotic strategy in PLWH is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Freiberg, Matthew S — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Freiberg, Matthew S
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.