Why obesity may protect people during sepsis
Obesity-mediated protection in sepsis
Researchers are comparing immune responses and cell metabolism in obese and non-obese patients with sepsis to understand why obesity appears linked to better survival.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11332827 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have sepsis, the team wants to see how having obesity changes your immune system and how your cells use energy. They will compare blood and tissue samples from people with and without obesity and also use a validated mouse model to study underlying biology. The researchers will focus on immune cell function and metabolic shifts that might explain the protective effect. That information could point to new treatments that mimic the protective factors for all patients with sepsis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults hospitalized with sepsis, both with and without obesity, who can provide blood or tissue samples would be appropriate candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not have sepsis, pediatric patients if the work is limited to adults, or those unable or unwilling to provide samples may not be eligible or directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that lower deaths and complications from sepsis by copying protective mechanisms seen in obesity.
How similar studies have performed: Clinical observations have repeatedly noted an 'obesity paradox' with better sepsis survival, but mechanistic studies are limited and this combined human-and-mouse approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Starr, Marlene Elena — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Starr, Marlene Elena
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.