Understanding how fat signaling can help muscles heal and grow

Promoting Muscle Regeneration through Adipose Signaling

NIH-funded research Washington University · NIH-10660957

This study is looking at how a special type of fat in the body can help muscles heal and grow stronger, especially for people who have muscle weakness or disabilities, and it hopes to find new ways to support muscle recovery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWashington University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Saint Louis, United States)
Project IDNIH-10660957 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the relationship between adipose tissue, specifically a type called intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT), and muscle regeneration. It aims to understand how signals from fat can promote muscle growth and recovery, particularly in individuals suffering from muscle weakness and physical disabilities. By studying the mechanisms of how brown fat influences muscle cells, the researchers hope to find new therapeutic approaches to enhance muscle regeneration. The study utilizes a novel mouse model to explore these interactions and test potential treatments.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing muscle weakness or physical disabilities, particularly those with conditions linked to the accumulation of intermuscular adipose tissue.

Not a fit: Patients without muscle weakness or those not affected by conditions related to adipose tissue accumulation may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that improve muscle strength and recovery for patients with muscle weakness.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results in understanding fat-muscle interactions, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights and advancements.

Where this research is happening

Saint Louis, 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.
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.