Vitamin D and how the body directs extra calories into muscle
Vitamin D control of calorie allocation to muscle
This research looks at whether higher levels of vitamin D can help people with obesity send surplus calories into muscle instead of storing them as fat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Children's Hosp of Philadelphia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11286830 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would be told that researchers are testing how two forms of vitamin D (called 25D and 1,25D) influence whether extra calories are stored as fat or used to build muscle. The team will use laboratory and molecular experiments to track vitamin D’s effects on muscle and fat cells and to study the vitamin D receptor’s actions at specific gene sites. Their work includes preclinical models and analysis of vitamin D metabolites to pinpoint which signal directs calories to muscle. The long-term goal is to identify druggable targets that could lead to new treatments for obesity.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with overweight or obesity, particularly those with low vitamin D levels or reduced muscle mass.
Not a fit: People at a healthy weight or those with conditions that severely impair vitamin D metabolism (for example advanced kidney disease) may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to treatments that shift excess calories into muscle, lowering obesity-related health risks and improving strength and daily function.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical and preliminary animal data from the investigators suggest high-dose vitamin D can redirect calories to muscle, but evidence in people is currently limited.
Where this research is happening
Philadelphia, United States
- Children's Hosp of Philadelphia — Philadelphia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roizen, Jeffrey David — Children's Hosp of Philadelphia
- Study coordinator: Roizen, Jeffrey David
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.