The impact of stress on liver disease in Mexican-origin adults
Official title: Acculturative stress and pro-inflammatory markers among Mexican-Origin adults with NAFLD
Funded at University of Arizona · NIH-10871584 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the stress of adapting to a new culture affects the health of Mexican-origin adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, focusing on how stress, lifestyle choices, and inflammation might impact their liver health and risk of cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $230,250 |
| NIH project number | 1R21MD019331-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10871584 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Mexican-origin adults aged 21 and older who are experiencing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Mexican-origin or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how acculturative stress affects the health of Mexican-origin adults with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It aims to understand the relationship between chronic stress, lifestyle behaviors, and inflammation that may contribute to liver disease and cancer. By using both quantitative and qualitative methods, the study will gather comprehensive data on the experiences of participants and the biological markers associated with their health. This approach seeks to fill gaps in knowledge regarding the unique challenges faced by this population in Southern Arizona.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and management of liver disease in Mexican-origin adults, potentially reducing health disparities.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific focus on acculturative stress and NAFLD in this population is novel, related research has shown that stress can significantly impact health outcomes in similar demographic groups.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arizona
Tucson, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia, David O. — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Garcia, David O.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Lipid signals that control acetyl-CoA and fat metabolism in NAFLD
A study exploring how membrane lipids influence acetyl-CoA metabolism to understand and potentially treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Long-term study of NAFLD progression and gut bacteria in diverse groups
We’re following people over time to see how the gut microbiome and diet relate to fatty liver disease progression in diverse racial/ethnic groups.
-
Genetic and environmental risk for fatty liver cancer in Latinos (GENIAL)
A study to understand why Latino people with fatty liver disease might be more likely to develop liver cancer and to use genetic and environmental clues to predict who is at higher risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Role of cholesterol metabolism in toxin-driven liver disease
This grant explores how a liver toxin called TCDD affects cholesterol and fatty liver disease, and how a key enzyme (HMGCR) might change that risk in adults.
-
Small blood particle signals and fatty liver in children and teens
Researchers are looking at whether molecules carried in tiny blood particles can explain or signal fatty liver disease in children and adolescents with excess weight.
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.