Understanding how metformin affects liver fat metabolism through the intestine
Official title: Investigating the involvement of small intestine in metformin's effect on hepatic lipid metabolism
Funded at North Carolina State University Raleigh · NIH-11035285 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how the diabetes medication metformin affects fat processing in the liver for people with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and it will explore how the intestines play a role in this process to help improve treatment options.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | North Carolina State University Raleigh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Raleigh, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $62,586 |
| NIH project number | 3R35GM150985-02S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11035285 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease who may benefit from metformin treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or those who do not respond to metformin may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how metformin, a common diabetes medication, influences fat metabolism in the liver, particularly in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study aims to explore the role of the intestine in mediating metformin's effects, as previous findings suggest that the drug's action in the intestine is crucial for its benefits. By using advanced techniques like metabolomics and lipidomics, researchers will quantitatively assess how metformin alters lipid metabolism in various organs. This could lead to a better understanding of metformin's effectiveness and its potential as a treatment for NAFLD.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatment options for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results regarding metformin's effects on liver metabolism, but this specific approach focusing on the intestine is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
North Carolina State University Raleigh
Raleigh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liu, Xiaojing — North Carolina State University Raleigh
- Study coordinator: Liu, Xiaojing
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.