Activating beige (energy-burning) fat in people
Mechanisms for activation of beige adipose tissue in humans
This research looks at whether the drug mirabegron can turn white fat into beige fat and improve blood sugar in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kentucky NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lexington, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11001530 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would receive mirabegron, a drug already approved for overactive bladder that activates β3 receptors, or a placebo in a randomized, double-blind setup. Over four months the team will run glucose tolerance tests, measure insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, and take samples of subcutaneous fat to look for 'beiging.' They will also check muscle fiber changes and other metabolic measures to understand how changes in fat could improve blood sugar. This work builds on earlier 12-week human studies that showed mirabegron induced fat beiging and improved glucose control without weight loss.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with prediabetes or insulin resistance, particularly those who are overweight or obese, would be the ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People with normal glucose control, those already well-controlled on diabetes medications, or individuals with medical contraindications to mirabegron may not receive benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a new treatment approach to improve blood sugar control and insulin secretion in people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes without requiring weight loss.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier human trials showed that 12 weeks of mirabegron induced beiging of subcutaneous fat and improved glucose tolerance and HbA1c, so this project builds on promising prior results.
Where this research is happening
Lexington, United States
- University of Kentucky — Lexington, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Kern, Philip a — University of Kentucky
- Study coordinator: Kern, Philip a
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.