Understanding bone and fat changes in people with HIV on medication

Bone and fat cross-talk in antiretroviral therapy (ART) treated HIV patients

NIH-funded research Rush University Medical Center · NIH-11174359

This project explores how HIV medications might affect bone health and body fat in people living with HIV.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionRush University Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Chicago, United States)
Project IDNIH-11174359 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The grant aims to understand why people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (cART) often experience bone loss and fat gain. Researchers believe that hormones communicating between bone and fat tissues play a role in these changes. They will use a multi-step approach, starting with lab studies on human cells to see how individual HIV medications affect bone and fat cells and their hormone production. This will help uncover the specific ways these medications contribute to bone and fat issues, ultimately seeking less harmful treatment options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people living with HIV who are currently taking or considering antiretroviral therapy, especially those experiencing or at risk for bone loss or fat gain.

Not a fit: Patients who are not living with HIV or are not on antiretroviral therapy would likely not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat bone loss and fat gain in people with HIV, potentially by finding less harmful treatment options.

How similar studies have performed: This project builds on preliminary data showing hormonal changes and correlations between bone and fat issues with cART, suggesting a promising, yet still developing, area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

Chicago, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.