Exercise, exosomes, and metabolic health in type 2 diabetes
Official title: Exercise, Exosomes, and Metabolic Health in Type-2 Diabetes
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11377127 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to understand how exercise changes tiny particles released by muscles to improve insulin sensitivity in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander adults with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 1997 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $583,022 |
| NIH project number | 5U54MD007601-40 |
| Project ID | NIH-11377127 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with type 2 diabetes, especially NHOPI or other Pacific Islander individuals, who are able to participate in an exercise program.
✕Less likely to help
Patients unable to participate in exercise programs or with conditions preventing muscle testing may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how exercise changes the cargo and release of exosomes from skeletal muscle and how that influences insulin action in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers will explore the molecular signals carried by exosomes and how these signals improve glucose control. The findings could point to new ways to boost the benefits of exercise for NHOPI individuals living with diabetes. The work involves human participants and molecular analyses to connect physical activity with tissue-level responses.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could lead to personalized exercise strategies or novel targets to enhance insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Existing studies show exercise can improve insulin sensitivity, and exosome biology is an emerging area with promising but early evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Polgar, Noemi — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Polgar, Noemi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Understanding Exercise's Benefits for Type 2 Diabetes
This project aims to understand how exercise helps improve health for people with Type 2 Diabetes, especially Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, by looking at tiny cell messengers called exosomes.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
-
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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.