Systemic consequences of PAH on lean muscle mass in PAH patients
Official title: Unraveling the systemic manifestations of pulmonary arterial hypertension on lean muscle mass
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11345642 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at why people with pulmonary arterial hypertension lose muscle mass and how that affects their health and daily life.
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 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $648,528 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL173533-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11345642 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension, especially those with or at risk for lean mass loss, who can participate in assessments of body composition and related biomarkers.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without PAH or without lean mass concerns may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
In patients with PAH, researchers will study how lean body mass changes over time and what metabolic factors are linked to low muscle mass. The study will identify a distinct PAH-related muscle-weakness profile and look for metabolomic clues that point to underlying pathways. It will also examine whether epicardial adipose tissue contributes to muscle loss and how low lean mass relates to quality of life and physical activity. The work combines patient data from a PAH cohort with advanced analyses to uncover potential targets for therapy and lifestyle interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to preserve or restore muscle mass and improve quality of life for people with PAH.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data from a PAH cohort suggests a sizable portion have low lean mass, supporting further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Al-Naamani, Nadine — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Al-Naamani, Nadine
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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.