Location: Children's Nutrition Research Center
Project Number: 3092-10700-069-001-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Apr 1, 2024
End Date: Mar 31, 2029
Objective:
Objective 1: Removed due to scientist departure.
Objective 2: Determine the role of phenylalanine metabolism of both the host and microbiome in non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) development.
Approach:
With the prevalence of obesity and diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD) are a major health challenge globally. Yet, the etiology of NAFLD remains unclear. Phenylalanine is an essential amino acid that has been found at high concentrations in the circulation of patients with steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis. Thus, in Obj. 2 we will test our hypothesis that nutritional availability of phenylalanine alters the gut microbiota to affect host metabolism and susceptibility to NAFLD. Together, the results will reveal the importance of folate and phenylalanine metabolism in NAFLD.