How a single exercise session helps muscles clear blood sugar

Regulation of Elevated Postexercise Insulin-stimulated Glucose Uptake by Skeletal Muscle

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · NIH-11077312

This project looks at how one bout of exercise helps muscles pull sugar out of the blood better in people with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR (nih funded)
Locations1 site (ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11077312 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

From a patient perspective, the team is using animal models and gene tools to learn why exercise improves insulin-driven sugar uptake in muscle. They use rats missing a protein called AS160 and deliver genes with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors to test which Rab proteins work with AS160. Muscles from both sedentary and exercised rats will be compared to see which molecular steps change after exercise. The research aims to map the cellular signals that allow exercise to boost insulin action in skeletal muscle.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes who are interested in exercise-related treatments or future clinical trials would be the most likely candidates to benefit.

Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes, children, or those whose blood sugar problems are not related to muscle insulin resistance are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new drugs or therapies that mimic exercise’s effect and help people with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar better.

How similar studies have performed: Prior studies show exercise increases muscle glucose uptake and that AS160 plays a key role in animal models, but pinpointing the specific Rab proteins in real muscle is a newer and less-tested step.

Where this research is happening

ANN ARBOR, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.