Therapeutic approach to reduce cellular aging and improve thigh muscle recovery after ACL injury
Official title: Mechanistic-based therapeutic to ameliorate cellular senescence and reverse quadriceps muscle atrophy in humans following ACL injury
Funded at Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah · NIH-11450887 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project tests a drug (metformin) to help the thigh muscle heal better after ACL injury and reconstruction.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $627,006 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR086573-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450887 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults who have recently suffered an ACL injury and are undergoing reconstruction.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without ACL injury or those not undergoing reconstruction may not benefit.
What this research studies
After an ACL injury and surgery, the thigh muscles often stay weak and may shrink due to inflammation and scar-like tissue. This study will look at how immune cells, certain precursor cells, and muscle stem cells communicate to shape the tissue environment, and whether aging-like changes (cellular senescence) contribute to poor recovery. The researchers will investigate if metformin can reduce harmful cell aging and modify the tissue surroundings to improve muscle size and strength after injury. The work involves human participants and aims to uncover targets that could lead to better rehabilitation strategies. If successful, this could translate into therapies to help patients regain function faster after ACL surgery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients may regain quadriceps strength and function more quickly after ACL injury and reconstruction.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data suggest metformin can influence muscle aging and inflammation, but its use in acute ACL injury is exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Drummond, Micah J — Utah State Higher Education System--University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Drummond, Micah J
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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.