Understanding Copper's Role in Insulin Resistance and Liver Disease
Official title: Copper and copper-binding proteins in insulin resistance-associated metabolic disease
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11115592 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores how copper and certain proteins might contribute to insulin resistance and a common liver condition called non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 8, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $484,274 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133331-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11115592 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational work is for understanding disease mechanisms and does not currently involve direct patient participation, but future studies may seek individuals with insulin resistance or NAFLD.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not interested in the basic science of metabolic diseases or those seeking immediate treatment options would not directly benefit from this particular grant's activities.
What this research studies
Many people experience insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which can increase risks for serious health issues like liver cancer and heart disease. Currently, there are no approved treatments for NAFLD, and we don't fully understand how insulin resistance leads to this liver condition. This project looks at how a protein called ceruloplasmin (CP) and copper levels in the body might be involved. Researchers have observed higher CP and lower copper in the livers of people with diabetes and NAFLD, and this work aims to uncover why this happens and what it means for these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to prevent or treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and related metabolic problems.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific link between ceruloplasmin, copper, insulin resistance, and NAFLD is being explored, previous findings have shown correlations between CP levels and metabolic diseases.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miao, Ji — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Miao, Ji
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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.