Understanding a new enzyme's role in alcoholic liver disease
Official title: Defining the role of a novel hexokinase in alcoholic liver disease
Funded at Loyola University Chicago · NIH-10930893 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at a new enzyme called HKDC1 to see how it might help protect the liver from damage caused by drinking alcohol, which could lead to better treatments for people with alcoholic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Loyola University Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Maywood, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $221,375 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AA031361-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10930893 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcoholic liver disease or those experiencing alcohol-related liver issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver diseases unrelated to alcohol consumption may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of a newly identified enzyme, HKDC1, in the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). It aims to understand how this enzyme affects glucose metabolism and contributes to liver cell health in the context of alcohol consumption. By examining liver samples from patients and animal models, the research will explore the potential protective effects of HKDC1 against liver damage caused by alcohol. The findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating ALD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to novel treatments that improve liver health and outcomes for patients suffering from alcoholic liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific role of HKDC1 in alcoholic liver disease is being explored, similar research on metabolic enzymes has shown promise in understanding liver diseases, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Loyola University Chicago
Maywood, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Qiu, Wei — Loyola University Chicago
- Study coordinator: Qiu, Wei
Related research
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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.