Renalase and how it affects pancreatitis severity
Regulation of pancreatitis severity
This work looks at whether a naturally occurring protein called renalase can protect the pancreas and reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis in people who get severe attacks.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Connecticut Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Haven, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11207172 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team uses mouse models and laboratory experiments to see how renalase changes during an acute pancreatitis attack and whether giving lab-made renalase reduces pancreatic injury. They study how renalase protects pancreatic acinar cells, focusing on a calcium pump called PMCA4b that appears to mediate the effect. The researchers also measure renalase levels in blood from patients with acute pancreatitis to see if those levels track with disease severity. Together these approaches aim to link the lab findings to human illness and point toward possible tests or treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with acute pancreatitis — especially alcohol-related attacks, older adults, or veterans who are at higher risk — are the most relevant candidates for related clinical work or sample donation.
Not a fit: People with chronic pancreatitis or digestive conditions unrelated to acute attacks would likely not benefit from this specific work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a new treatment or a blood marker that lowers complications, hospital stays, and deaths from severe acute pancreatitis.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical mouse studies by the team showed that deleting renalase worsens disease and that giving recombinant renalase reduced injury, and early human blood samples suggest renalase falls during attacks, but treatments in people remain untested.
Where this research is happening
West Haven, United States
- VA Connecticut Healthcare System — West Haven, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gorelick, Fred Sanford — VA Connecticut Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Gorelick, Fred Sanford
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.