Understanding how gut bacteria affect muscle loss after sepsis
Official title: The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Post-Sepsis Skeletal Muscle Atrophy
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11062387 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the bacteria in your gut might affect muscle loss after a serious infection called sepsis, and it's for people who are recovering from this condition to help find ways to keep their muscles healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $166,428 |
| NIH project number | 5K08AR083015-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11062387 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have recently survived sepsis and are experiencing muscle weakness or atrophy.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not experienced sepsis or those with pre-existing muscle disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between the gut microbiome and muscle atrophy that occurs after a patient experiences sepsis. The principal investigator, Dr. Kale Bongers, will utilize advanced techniques in metabolomics and metagenomics to explore how gut bacteria influence muscle health in critically ill patients. The study aims to identify potential therapeutic targets that could help mitigate muscle loss in individuals recovering from sepsis. By integrating knowledge from various fields, the research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of this complex relationship.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that help prevent muscle loss in patients recovering from sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of the gut microbiome in health is a growing field, this specific investigation into its impact on post-sepsis muscle atrophy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bongers, Kale S — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Bongers, Kale S
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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.