Understanding flares and remission in colitis

Mechanisms associated with flares and remission in colitis

NIH-funded research Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11103147

This research explores how certain food colorants might contribute to inflammatory bowel diseases like colitis, especially in people with a genetic predisposition.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project IDNIH-11103147 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

We are looking into how common food additives, specifically Red 40, might trigger or worsen colitis. Our initial findings in mice suggest that Red 40 can promote colitis, particularly in those with a specific genetic background related to the immune system. This effect seems to involve gut bacteria and certain immune cells. By understanding these connections, we hope to uncover environmental factors that play a role in inflammatory bowel diseases.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This research is most relevant to individuals living with inflammatory bowel diseases, particularly those seeking to understand environmental or dietary triggers for their condition.

Not a fit: Patients without inflammatory bowel diseases or those whose condition is not influenced by dietary factors may not directly benefit from these specific findings.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help identify dietary triggers for colitis, potentially leading to new ways to prevent flares or manage the condition through diet.

How similar studies have performed: This research presents novel findings regarding the role of Red 40 in promoting colitis in specific mouse models, suggesting a new area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

New York, 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 Autoimmune Diseases
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.