Resistant starch to help heart and gut health in PCOS women
Official title: Resistant starch treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome: impact on cardiometabolic dysfunction and the gut microbiome
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11377590 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study tests whether resistant starch can improve heart and metabolic health and the gut bacteria in women with PCOS who have high androgens.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $472,177 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173772-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377590 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with PCOS and hyperandrogenism who are willing to modify their diet and participate in health measurements and stool sample collection.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without PCOS or with conditions not related to the study goals may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
Women with PCOS and high androgen levels often have risk factors for heart disease, such as obesity and insulin resistance. This trial will look at whether adding resistant starch to the diet can improve blood fats, blood pressure, body composition, and gut microbes, potentially lowering cardiometabolic risk. Researchers will collect health data and stool samples to see how the gut microbiome responds and whether these changes link to heart-related factors. The goal is to find a dietary approach that could support long-term health in PCOS without relying on medications alone.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience better cardiometabolic health and a healthier gut microbiome, contributing to lower long-term disease risk.
How similar studies have gone: Some studies in the general population show benefits of resistant starch on cardiometabolic factors, but this is a targeted PCOS-focused investigation with novel microbiome endpoints.
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.