Using a ghrelin-targeting enzyme to help people with opioid and stimulant co-use
Ghrelin Deacylase as a Treatment for Opioid Polysubstance Abuse
This project tests whether lowering the active form of the stomach hormone ghrelin can reduce opioid and stimulant use in people with opioid use disorder who also use stimulants like methamphetamine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11364674 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You might hear about a treatment that works by removing the active form of ghrelin, a stomach hormone that can make drug use feel more rewarding. Researchers will use lab and animal experiments to give a ghrelin-deacylase enzyme, measure drug-seeking and relapse-like behaviors, and watch for side effects. The team is choosing this approach because blocking the ghrelin receptor can cause unwanted effects, so targeting the hormone itself could be safer. If lab results look promising, the researchers plan to move toward testing therapies in people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with opioid use disorder who also use stimulants such as methamphetamine would be the most relevant group for this work.
Not a fit: People who only use opioids without stimulant co-use or those already receiving effective, approved OUD treatments may not see direct benefit from this preclinical work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lower cravings and relapse risk for people who use opioids together with stimulants.
How similar studies have performed: Blocking the ghrelin receptor has reduced drug-seeking in animal studies, but using a ghrelin-deacylase enzyme is a newer strategy with limited prior testing in humans.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhan, Chang-Guo — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Zhan, Chang-Guo
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 below.