# Weight-Loss Diet Intervention on Cardiometabolic Factors of Gut Microbiota

> **NIH NIH R01** · TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA · 2021 · $620,160

## Abstract

Abstract
Compelling evidence has implicated human gut microbiota in development of obesity and related
cardiometabolic disorders. Recent studies identified a group of circulating metabolites that are functionally
related to gut microbiota. These microbial metabolites act as ‘transducers’ in the microbiota-host
communications and ‘sensors’ in gut-organ/tissue crosstalk, and affect ectopic fat distribution in various
metabolic organs and tissues. Diet is among the most important regulators of gut microbiota; however, no
study has assessed how weight-loss diets may affect the long-term changes of the newly identified microbial
metabolites. The proposed systems study aims to fill this significant research gap. In two of the longest and
largest comparator trials on the popular weight-loss diets - POUNDS LOST and CENTRAL, we propose to
identify novel plasma microbial metabolites associated with long-term weight loss in response to diet
interventions. We will examine relations of plasma levels of identified microbial metabolites and ectopic fat
distribution in the liver, heart, pancreas, and kidney, as well as adipose and skeletal muscle tissues. In addition,
we will assess whether changes in plasma microbial metabolites mediate the relations between weight loss
and changes in cardiometabolic markers. Moreover, we will examine the dynamic associations between
microbial metabolites and changes in plasma miRNAs related to obesity and cardiometabolic risk. The findings
from our study will considerably improve development of novel prevention and treatment strategies for obesity
and related cardiometabolic disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10124378
- **Project number:** 5R01DK100383-06
- **Recipient organization:** TULANE UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA
- **Principal Investigator:** Lu Qi
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $620,160
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-09-15 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10124378

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10124378, Weight-Loss Diet Intervention on Cardiometabolic Factors of Gut Microbiota (5R01DK100383-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10124378. Licensed CC0.

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