Endothelin-1 and retinal blood flow in early diabetes
Official title: Endothelin-1 System Activation and Retinal Microvascular Dysregulation during Early Diabetes
Funded at Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr · NIH-11418891 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study in adults with brittle diabetes will look at how the tiny blood vessels in the retina respond to a molecule called endothelin-1 to understand why vision can be affected early in the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (College Station, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $378,750 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY034145-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11418891 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with brittle diabetes mellitus who can participate in retinal assessments and related testing.
✕Less likely to help
People without diabetes or those unable to undergo retinal imaging and related tests may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project focuses on how diabetes alters retinal blood flow by studying both small arteries and veins in people with brittle diabetes. Researchers will examine the signaling pathway involving endothelin-1 and its effects on retinal vessels, using findings from animal models to guide human insights. The goal is to identify molecular events that cause vasomotor dysregulation before visible damage, which could inform earlier interventions to protect vision.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to earlier strategies to prevent retinal ischemia and vision loss in people with diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work in animal models suggests a link between endothelin-1 signaling and retinal blood flow changes, supporting the translational potential of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
College Station, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hein, Travis W — Texas A&m University Health Science Ctr
- Study coordinator: Hein, Travis W
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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.