Resistant starch for polycystic ovary syndrome and heart health
Official title: Resistant starch treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: impact on cardiometabolic dysfunction and the gut microbiome
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11177752 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a special type of fiber called resistant starch might help women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) improve their heart health and gut bacteria.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $476,129 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173772-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11177752 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would be women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome who are interested in dietary interventions for cardiometabolic health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have polycystic ovary syndrome or related cardiometabolic risk factors may not directly benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often face higher risks for heart disease, including obesity, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure, and there are currently no specific dietary recommendations to prevent these issues. This project aims to understand if adding resistant starch to the diet can improve these heart-related risk factors in women with PCOS. We believe resistant starch might work by changing the balance of gut bacteria, like increasing beneficial Bifidobacteria, which could then positively affect overall health. By studying these connections, we hope to find new ways to support the long-term health of women with PCOS.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new dietary recommendations for women with PCOS to reduce their risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Resistant starch has shown promise in improving heart disease risk factors in the general population, and gut microbiome modulation has improved cardiometabolic parameters in PCOS rodent models.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dokras, Anuja — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Dokras, Anuja
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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.