# Bioenergetic and Cardiometabolic Consequences of the Loss of Gonadal Function

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2024 · $1,500,000

## Abstract

The Colorado Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences and Women’s Health
is focused on Bioenergetic and Cardiometabolic Consequences of the Loss of Gonadal Function. The
overarching scientific goal of the SCORE is to address gaps in knowledge of the impact of gonadal aging on
the regulation of energy homeostasis and metabolism by conducting mechanistically driven research across
the basic-to-clinical translational spectrum. The scientific premise is that gonadal aging, through the
accompanying decline in sex hormones, mediates biological changes that increase risk for chronic disease.
Importantly, because gonadal failure is inevitable in women in mid-life, but rare in men until much later in life,
this meets the objective of the SCORE Program to study sex differences that impact women’s health. The
Colorado SCORE is focused on the increased propensity for abdominal fat accumulation and the associated
cardiometabolic dysfunction that are consequent to the loss of ovarian function. The overarching educational
objective is to engage new investigators in research aligned with the focus of the SCORE. The SCORE will
provide mentored career development and training on how to conduct research that appropriately addresses
sex as a biological variable (SABV). These overarching objectives will be accomplished through the following
Aims: 1) Advance novel translational research on mechanisms that are postulated to contribute to the
abdominal adiposity and cardiometabolic dysfunction that accelerate following estradiol withdrawal. All projects
include a focus on the kynurenine pathway because of the emerging evidence that it regulates energy
homeostasis, metabolic function, and the aging process. The Colorado SCORE investigators are experts in
these areas and are exceptionally well positioned to advance this research. 2) Attract and support outstanding
early career investigators with research interests related to the SCORE and engage them in CEC training
activities that will successfully advance their careers. The SCORE will support one Scholar and four Pilot
Project Awardees each year. 3) Provide infrastructural support for the SCORE Research Projects, Scholars,
and Pilot Awardees through the LAC, including biostatistics, data management, financial oversight, and
administrative support. 4) Partner with and leverage resources provided by other programs at CU-AMC
(Multidisciplinary Center on Aging, Ludeman Center for Women’s Health Research, Nutrition Obesity Research
Center, Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute) to elevate the visibility and multi-disciplinary reach of
women’s health research and the importance of investigating SABV. Activities will target both scientific and lay
communities at local, regional, and national levels. Achieving these Aims will position the SCORE as a
national leader in women’s health research, and the CEC as a model program for training the next
generation of scientists to integrate SABV in th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10925305
- **Project number:** 5U54AG062319-12
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Wendy M Kohrt
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $1,500,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-20 → 2029-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10925305

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10925305, Bioenergetic and Cardiometabolic Consequences of the Loss of Gonadal Function (5U54AG062319-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10925305. Licensed CC0.

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