NIH-funded research R01 grant

Understanding how gut bacteria changes after weight loss surgery can improve heart function.

Official title: Identifying Gut Microbiome Mediated Mechanisms for Diastolic Dysfunction Improvement After Bariatric Surgery

Funded at Medical College of Wisconsin · NIH-11103193 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is looking at how sleeve gastrectomy, a type of weight-loss surgery, can help improve heart function in people with obesity-related heart issues by examining changes in gut bacteria and bile acids after the surgery.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMedical College of Wisconsin
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Milwaukee, United States)
Project startJune 1, 2022
Project endMay 31, 2027
Funding year2025
Award (this year)$396,578
NIH project number5R01HL158900-04
Project IDNIH-11103193 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who are undergoing or have undergone sleeve gastrectomy and have obesity-related diastolic dysfunction.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have obesity-related heart issues or have not undergone bariatric surgery may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research investigates how bariatric surgery, specifically sleeve gastrectomy, can improve heart function in patients with obesity-related diastolic dysfunction. It focuses on the changes in gut microbiome after surgery and how these changes may lead to the production of specific bile acids that positively affect heart health. The study will involve analyzing stool samples from both humans and animal models to understand the relationship between gut bacteria and heart function. Additionally, it will explore how these bile acids can reduce stress on heart cells, potentially leading to better cardiac outcomes.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for improving heart function in patients with obesity-related heart issues.

How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the gut-heart connection, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

  • Medical College of Wisconsin
    Milwaukee, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kindel, Tammy Lyn — Medical College of Wisconsin
  • Study coordinator: Kindel, Tammy Lyn

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

  • Gut bacteria and bile acids linked to heart function after bariatric surgery

    This study looks at how gut microbes and bile acids after sleeve gastrectomy might improve heart function in people with obesity-related diastolic problems.

    NIH research Medical College of Wisconsin · Milwaukee, United States · NIH-11326772

  • Multi-agent AI to annotate enzymes in the human gut microbiome

    A team at a major university will build an AI system that automatically curates and labels the functions of enzymes in the human gut microbiome to speed up understanding their health effects.

    NIH research University of South Florida · Tampa, United States · NIH-11594384

  • Mapping how gut bacteria transform drugs

    Scientists will study how the gut microbiome changes thousands of drugs into new forms, which could affect how well a medicine works or whether it causes side effects.

    NIH research Stanford University · Stanford, United States · NIH-11550022

  • Aflatoxin exposure and child growth in Guatemala

    A study in rural Guatemala will track how exposure to aflatoxin relates to growth and gut health in young children.

    NIH research Arizona State University-Tempe Campus · Scottsdale, United States · NIH-11513260

  • Gut bacteria that can make cancer immunotherapy less effective

    This project will see if reducing chronic inflammation driven by certain gut bacteria can help immunotherapy work better for people whose cancers have stopped responding.

    NIH research University of Tx Md Anderson Can Ctr · Houston, United States · NIH-11478145

  • How gut bacteria affect how cancer drugs work

    This project looks at how the bacteria in your gut might change how well and with what side effects fluoropyrimidine cancer drugs like 5-FU work in people.

    NIH research University of California, San Francisco · San Francisco, United States · NIH-11473234

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.