Vitamin D's effects on the aging gut and calcium absorption
Nutrigenomics of Intestinal Vitamin D Action
This project looks at how vitamin D works in the intestines of older adults to explain why aging reduces calcium absorption and increases gut inflammation and cancer risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11337577 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers compare intestinal tissue from younger and older subjects and animal models to see which genes respond to vitamin D across different gut regions. They focus on the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and use genomic methods such as ATAC-seq and gene-expression profiling to map where vitamin D changes DNA accessibility and gene activity. The team will examine small intestine crypts and villi as well as colon tissue to identify which vitamin D targets lose responsiveness with age. Findings will aim to reveal mechanisms that could be targeted to restore healthy vitamin D action in older people.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults—especially older adults with age-related bone loss, reduced calcium absorption, or chronic gut inflammation—would be the most relevant candidates for involvement or follow-up studies.
Not a fit: Young, healthy people without intestinal vitamin D problems or individuals seeking immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to get direct benefit from this basic mechanistic research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to restore vitamin D responsiveness in older adults, improving calcium absorption, bone health, and reducing gut inflammation and cancer risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior work has shown vitamin D regulates many intestinal genes and that aging reduces some responses, but using genome-wide chromatin and transcription mapping to explain age-related resistance is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Christakos, Sylvia S — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Christakos, Sylvia S
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.