Protecting muscles in sepsis by blocking mitochondrial damage
Targeting mitochondrial permeability transition to attenuate adverse muscle impact in sepsis
This project tries blocking a specific mitochondrial pore to lower muscle weakness and inflammation in people with sepsis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176967 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers plan to study how a mitochondrial event called mitochondrial permeability transition (mPT) causes muscle wasting and releases mitochondrial DNA that may fuel inflammation during sepsis. They will use laboratory and preclinical experiments to test whether inhibiting the mPT trigger (including targeting the protein cyclophilin D) prevents muscle atrophy and reduces signals that drive systemic inflammation. The team will measure muscle size and strength, mitochondrial changes, and levels of mitochondrial DNA and inflammatory markers. Findings would guide whether targeting mPT could become a treatment approach for patients with sepsis-related muscle injury.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with sepsis—particularly those in the ICU who are losing muscle strength or having trouble weaning from a ventilator—would be the most relevant group for future trials based on these findings.
Not a fit: People without sepsis, or whose muscle problems are due to long-standing non-sepsis conditions, are unlikely to benefit from this specific approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce muscle loss and weakness in sepsis, help people get off ventilators sooner, and lower complications from excess inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown mPT occurs in other tissues during sepsis, but targeting mPT in skeletal muscle is a new and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Gainesville, United States
- University of Florida — Gainesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hepple, Russell T — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Hepple, Russell T
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.