Using fasting metabolism to enhance survival in bacterial infections
Official title: Harnessing Fasting Metabolism to Improve Survival in Bacterial Sepsis
Funded at Ut Southwestern Medical Center · NIH-10906105 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how not eating during a serious infection called sepsis might actually help patients recover better, by exploring how the body’s natural processes work when fasting and how they can improve survival, with the goal of finding new ways to treat sepsis without giving extra sugar.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ut Southwestern Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Dallas, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $410,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM137984-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10906105 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients experiencing bacterial sepsis or severe infections who may benefit from novel metabolic treatment approaches.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-bacterial infections or those not experiencing acute illness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how fasting metabolism can protect patients during bacterial sepsis, a severe infection that can lead to critical illness. The study explores the effects of anorexia, or loss of appetite, which is typically seen in acute illness, and how it may actually be beneficial in this context. Researchers will examine metabolic pathways activated during fasting and how they can improve survival rates, particularly focusing on the role of specific hormones and fatty acids. By understanding these mechanisms, the research aims to develop new treatment strategies that avoid harmful glucose supplementation during sepsis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved survival rates for patients suffering from bacterial sepsis.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has indicated that fasting and metabolic adaptations can have protective effects in various critical illness contexts, suggesting a promising avenue for further exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Ut Southwestern Medical Center
Dallas, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Huen, Sarah — Ut Southwestern Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Huen, Sarah
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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.