How a hormone may help protect insulin-producing cells in diabetes
Official title: The impact of cholecystokinin on pancreatic beta-cell survival through paracrine and pharmacologic signaling
Funded at Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp · NIH-10921186 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK) might help protect the insulin-making cells in your pancreas from damage, especially for people with diabetes, like many Veterans, by figuring out how it works and finding new ways to keep those cells healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| NIH project number | 1I01BX006389-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10921186 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Veterans diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who may benefit from therapies aimed at preserving beta cell function.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without diabetes or those whose diabetes is not related to beta cell dysfunction may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of cholecystokinin (CCK), a hormone produced in the pancreas, in protecting insulin-producing beta cells from cell death in diabetes. The study aims to understand how CCK and its receptors can enhance the survival of these cells, particularly under stress conditions like obesity and inflammation. By exploring the signaling pathways involved, the research seeks to identify new therapeutic strategies that could help maintain beta cell function and mass in patients with diabetes, especially among Veterans. The approach includes laboratory experiments on human islets to assess the effects of CCK on cell survival.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that preserve insulin-producing cells, improving diabetes management and outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in using hormonal signaling to protect beta cells, indicating potential for success in this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
Madison, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Davis, Dawn B — Wm S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hosp
- Study coordinator: Davis, Dawn B
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
New microfluidic platform to test prostate cancer drugs using patient tumor cells
A new microfluidic, open platform uses patient-derived prostate cancer cells to create multi-culture tumor models that could better predict whether a treatment will work for Veterans.
-
Injecting immune-boosting medicine into melanoma tumors to help the immune system reject them
This gives an immune-boosting drug directly into melanoma tumors in pet dogs to help their T cells find and destroy the cancer.
-
Preventing anal cancer in people living with HIV
A topical form of HIV protease inhibitors is being tried to clear precancerous anal changes in people living with HIV.
-
SIRT6 and melanoma growth and spread
Researchers are seeing if blocking a protein called SIRT6 can help stop melanoma from growing and spreading in people with melanoma.
-
Vitamin C to protect the brain after a traumatic brain injury
This project is testing whether giving vitamin C after a traumatic brain injury can protect the brain and help adults recover.
-
Investigating melanoma development and potential treatments
This study is looking at how melanoma grows and changes, with the goal of finding ways to better predict outcomes and develop new treatments for people with early-stage melanoma, including Veterans and others.
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.