Helping the metabolism hormone FGF21 work better in fat cells
Enhancing metabolic action of FGF21 through adipocyte Connexin43 gap junction channels
This project tries to boost communication between fat cells so the hormone FGF21 can better help people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes lose weight and improve metabolism.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11176351 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team is developing ways to enhance tiny connections between fat cells made by a protein called Connexin43 so signals from the brain and the hormone FGF21 spread more effectively through fat tissue. Their prior work showed a drug called danegaptide and genetic approaches can increase these cell-to-cell channels and strengthen FGF21’s metabolic effects. Current experiments use lab-grown cells and animal models to test whether boosting these connections improves weight loss and blood sugar control. This work is being done at Baylor and is preclinical, so it does not yet enroll patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity and Type 2 diabetes would be the likely candidates for related future clinical trials testing this approach.
Not a fit: People without obesity or without Type 2 diabetes, and anyone seeking immediate treatment, are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make FGF21-based treatments more effective at lowering body weight and improving blood sugar control for people with obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Early laboratory and animal studies, including work by this team, show promising results when Connexin43 is activated to enhance FGF21 effects, but this strategy has not yet been tested in humans.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Yi — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Yi
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.