Understanding Osteoporosis through Body Chemistry
Official title: Comprehensive Metabolomics Study of Osteoporosis
Funded at Tulane University of Louisiana · NIH-11118855 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to find new ways to predict, diagnose, and treat osteoporosis by looking closely at the chemical makeup of our bodies, especially in older adults and different ethnic groups.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tulane University of Louisiana NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Orleans, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2017 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $472,141 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AG055373-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11118855 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients who are older adults, particularly those with or at risk for osteoporosis, and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, especially African Americans, may be ideal candidates for future related studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose condition is not related to osteoporosis or metabolic bone health may not directly benefit from this specific line of inquiry.
What this research studies
Osteoporosis is a common bone disease that makes bones weak and prone to fractures, and we currently lack good ways to understand and treat it. This project explores the body's chemical profiles, called metabolomics, to uncover new clues about why some people get osteoporosis and others don't. By studying these chemical patterns in diverse groups, including older adults and different ethnicities, we hope to find new markers that can help us better predict who is at risk and develop more effective treatments. We will also work to confirm the identity and role of these chemical markers in bone health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to earlier detection, more accurate diagnoses, and new treatment options for osteoporosis, potentially reducing the risk of fractures.
How similar studies have gone: While metabolomics has shown promise in other disorders, comprehensive human metabolomics for osteoporosis, particularly addressing sex and ethnic differences, is still a relatively new and understudied area.
Where this research is happening
-
Tulane University of Louisiana
New Orleans, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhao, Qi — Tulane University of Louisiana
- Study coordinator: Zhao, Qi
Related research
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Metabolomics clues to how ultra-processed foods affect risk of type 2 diabetes
A scientist-led study will look at how eating different ultra-processed foods may change diabetes risk by using a controlled feeding trial and big population data, focusing on adults.
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Longitudinal metabolomics in infants with food allergies
A study in infants aims to understand how gut metabolites relate to the development of food allergies, including IgE-mediated and non-IgE cases.
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.