Skin’s power: how epidermal NADPH links skin health to whole-body metabolism
Official title: Defining the Role of Epidermal NADPH in Linking Skin Homeostasis to Systemic Metabolism.
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-11449199 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in mice and humans explores how redox balance in skin cells affects skin barrier function and whole-body fat metabolism, with potential implications for metabolic health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $578,211 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086828-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11449199 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with skin disorders linked to redox imbalance or metabolic health concerns who may participate in derived translational studies or biomarker analyses.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without skin barrier problems or metabolic dysregulation may have limited direct benefit from this basic science study.
What this research studies
This project investigates how the skin’s antioxidant system, powered by NADPH, influences both skin barrier integrity and body fat regulation. Using a keratinocyte-specific NADK knockout model, researchers will examine how redox changes alter skin lipids and trigger signals that affect metabolism beyond the skin. The work will involve detailed analyses of lipid synthesis, antioxidant defenses, and systemic metabolic outcomes to identify the skin-to-fat communication pathway. Outcomes may reveal new targets to protect skin health while improving metabolic balance. The study is centered at UT Southwestern and aims to translate findings toward human relevance.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could uncover new strategies to maintain skin barrier function while supporting healthier metabolism.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows that skin redox status can influence systemic metabolism, but this project seeks to define the skin-to-fat signaling axis more precisely.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hoxhaj, Gerta N/a — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Hoxhaj, Gerta N/a
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.