Understanding how calcium signaling affects fatty liver disease
Official title: Dysregulation of calcium signaling in the initiation of fatty liver disease
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-11141604 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how calcium levels in liver cells are affected by high-fat diets and how this might lead to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and diabetes, with the hope of finding new ways to help people who are dealing with these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $526,782 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139244-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11141604 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or those at risk for type 2 diabetes due to obesity or metabolic syndrome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with alcoholic liver disease or those without metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of calcium signaling in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its connection to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. By studying the effects of high-fat diets on calcium signaling in liver cells, the research aims to uncover the molecular mechanisms that lead to impaired metabolism and disease progression. The approach involves examining how hormones like norepinephrine influence calcium levels and liver function, which could provide insights into new treatment strategies for affected patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapeutic approaches for managing fatty liver disease and related metabolic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of calcium signaling in metabolic diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bartlett, Paula — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Bartlett, Paula
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
-
Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Hepatocellular Genetic Clues for Fatty Liver in Hispanic Adults
A large NIH grant helps researchers study why fatty liver develops in Hispanic adults and how genetics interact with lifestyle to affect risk.
-
Toxic fats, vitamin B12 loss, and AHR may drive fatty liver disease
This grant looks at how certain environmental chemicals may trigger liver damage linked to fatty liver disease and how a vitamin found in the blood could be affected.
-
Glutamine and T cells in fatty liver disease
A study explores how liver glutamine levels affect inflammatory CD4+ T cells in fatty liver disease to find potential new ways to reduce liver inflammation.
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.