Understanding how liver metabolism affects fatty liver disease
Official title: Hepatic Integration of Mitochondrial Oxidative Metabolism Pathways in Health and Disease
Funded at University of Minnesota · NIH-11085144 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the way our liver uses energy and processes fats might affect conditions like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), using mice to help find new ways to improve liver health for people dealing with these issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Minnesota NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Minneapolis, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $410,277 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK136772-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11085144 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include adults over 21 years old who are diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or related conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver diseases unrelated to fatty liver disease or those under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism pathways in the liver and how they relate to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The study aims to explore how lipid partitioning and energy demands in the liver can influence the progression of these diseases. By using mouse models that mimic varying severities of NAFLD, researchers will assess how ketogenesis and the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle interact and contribute to liver health. This could lead to new insights into potential therapeutic targets for managing liver diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for patients suffering from fatty liver disease, potentially reducing the risk of severe liver complications.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding mitochondrial functions in liver diseases, suggesting that this approach could yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hughey, Curtis — University of Minnesota
- Study coordinator: Hughey, Curtis
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.