Understanding how lipids are transported in the body and their role in heart health

Investigating Mechanisms for Lipid Transport in Health and Disease

NIH-funded research University of California Los Angeles · NIH-10874503

This study is looking at how a special protein helps move fats from your blood vessels to your heart and other important organs, which could help us understand heart health better and find new ways to treat heart-related issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California Los Angeles NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-10874503 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the mechanisms by which lipoprotein lipase (LPL) processes triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in capillaries, which is crucial for delivering lipids to vital organs like the heart. The study focuses on a specific protein, GPIHBP1, that facilitates this process by binding LPL and transporting it across endothelial cells. By using advanced imaging techniques, the research aims to visualize how fatty acids move from capillaries into surrounding tissues, which could provide insights into lipid metabolism and coronary artery disease. Patients may benefit from a better understanding of lipid transport mechanisms and their implications for heart health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals at risk for coronary artery disease or those with lipid metabolism disorders.

Not a fit: Patients with no history of lipid metabolism issues or coronary artery disease may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing and treating coronary artery disease by improving our understanding of lipid transport.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding lipid metabolism, but this specific approach using advanced imaging techniques is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, 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.