Understanding how fat, foam cells, and inflammation drive benign prostate problems
Official title: Identifying the role of lipid accumulation and foam cells in benign prostate disease
Funded at Old Dominion University · NIH-11365170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study will look at how lipid buildup and foam cells in the prostate contribute to common, bothersome urinary symptoms in aging men.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Old Dominion University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norfolk, United States) |
| Project start | August 27, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $389,554 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK139114-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11365170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Men with age-related BPH/LUTS who could provide prostate tissue samples or participate in future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Early-stage or non-LUTS patients may not directly benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project uses patient tissue samples, a well-established mouse model, and new mouse models to study how inflammation and lipid buildup affect the prostate and urinary function. Researchers will map which cytokines and signals change in the prostate environment and test the effects of those signals in mice and human data. They will also create a mouse model with increased lipid production in the prostate to see how this influences disease progression and symptoms. Together, these aims seek to connect lipid changes, inflammation, and bladder symptoms to identify potential new therapies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to new targets for treating LUTS/BPH by addressing lipid-related inflammation.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work shows lipid-laden foam cells exist in the prostate, supporting further exploration of this pathway.
Where this research is happening
-
Old Dominion University
Norfolk, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Popovics, Petra — Old Dominion University
- Study coordinator: Popovics, Petra
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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.