Understanding how fat breakdown processes are affected by alcohol in liver disease
Official title: Synergy of lipolysis and lipophagy in alcoholic liver disease
Funded at University of Nebraska Medical Center · NIH-10686384 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how alcohol affects the way your liver breaks down fat, which could help find new treatments for alcoholic liver disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Nebraska Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Omaha, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R00AA026877-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10686384 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with alcoholic liver disease or those at risk of developing it due to alcohol consumption.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume alcohol or have non-alcoholic liver disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the cellular mechanisms that contribute to alcoholic liver disease (ALD), focusing on how alcohol disrupts the breakdown of fat droplets in liver cells. The study aims to explore two key processes: lipolysis, which breaks down fats using specific enzymes, and lipophagy, which involves the degradation of fat droplets through cellular recycling mechanisms. By examining how these processes interact and are affected by alcohol, the research seeks to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention in ALD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse the progression of alcoholic liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding lipid metabolism in liver diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schott, Micah — University of Nebraska Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Schott, Micah
Related research
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Why alcohol-related liver disease can come back after a transplant
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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.