Understanding how lipids affect blood vessels and insulin in night-shift workers
Official title: Impact of circulating and tissue-specific lipids on vascular function and insulin sensitivity in chronic night shift workers
Funded at Colorado State University · NIH-11261650 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study will look at how specific fats circulating in the blood and in tissues relate to blood vessel function and insulin sensitivity in adults who work night shifts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Colorado State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fort Collins, United States) |
| Project start | February 5, 2024 |
| Project end | January 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $664,185 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL168081-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261650 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with night-shift work schedules or circadian disruption who are at risk for cardiometabolic disease.
✕Less likely to help
People without circadian disruption or those not at risk for metabolic or vascular issues may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
If you work night shifts, your body’s internal clock can get confused, which may affect fats in your blood and muscle that influence heart health and diabetes risk. This project tests how circulating lipids and lipids in muscle relate to how well blood vessels dilate and how your body uses insulin during circadian disruption. Researchers will study adults around 21 and older, collecting blood, tissue samples, and functional measures to connect lipid changes with vascular and metabolic responses. The work may help identify lipid targets to protect heart and metabolic health in people who routinely work at night.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to new strategies to protect cardiovascular and metabolic health for night-shift workers.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research shows lipids and circadian disruption affect vascular and insulin pathways, with emerging evidence in shift workers.
Where this research is happening
-
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Broussard, Josiane — Colorado State University
- Study coordinator: Broussard, Josiane
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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.