Understanding how NADH levels affect fatty liver disease and cholesterol levels
Official title: An NADH-ChREBP axis in fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10989939 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how high levels of a substance called NADH in the liver might lead to fatty liver disease and problems with cholesterol, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how these conditions develop and finding new ways to improve liver health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 15, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $471,860 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK134675-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10989939 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with liver diseases unrelated to fatty liver or those without metabolic disorders may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of elevated NADH levels in the liver and how they contribute to fatty liver disease and dyslipidemia. By studying both alcoholic and non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, the researchers aim to uncover the metabolic mechanisms that lead to these conditions. They will utilize a novel metabolic tool to manipulate NADH levels in animal models, which will help clarify the relationship between NADH and fat accumulation in the liver. The ultimate goal is to identify new therapeutic strategies that target NADH to improve liver health and metabolic outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for fatty liver disease and related metabolic disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that targeting metabolic pathways can lead to significant improvements in liver health, suggesting potential success for this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goodman, Russell Paul — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Goodman, Russell Paul
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Liver energy imbalance (NADH) and the driver ChREBP in fatty liver and high blood fats
This project aims to lower a liver chemical called NADH to see if that reduces liver fat and improves blood fat levels for people with alcoholic or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Role of fat droplets in liver fat and inflammatory signals in NAFLD
A study at Johns Hopkins will explore how fat droplets in the liver influence molecules that drive inflammation and progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults.
-
Them1 Inhibitors to Help Treat Fatty Liver Disease
Aims to develop and test small molecule drugs that block Them1 to help people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Reducing harmful blood fats with a small sugar from human milk
This grant explores whether a human milk sugar called 3’SL can lower remnant cholesterol and inflammation to reduce heart disease risk in people with atherosclerosis.
-
How the TET1 gene affects non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Researchers are looking at whether changes in the TET1 gene and DNA 'tagging' (methylation) play a role in adult non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
-
Potential Effects of a Plasticizer on Dyslipidemia and Atherosclerosis
A study in young models looks at how certain plastic chemicals might influence cholesterol and artery disease through a key liver receptor.
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.