How aging affects fat tissue and insulin resistance
Official title: Inflammation and insulin resistance in aging
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10994142 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting older affects fat in our bodies and how that might lead to problems with insulin, especially by checking out the role of immune cells in fat tissue, to help us understand why older folks might gain more weight and have metabolic issues.
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 start | December 1, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $362,454 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG065197-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10994142 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are middle-aged individuals experiencing weight gain or metabolic issues related to aging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not middle-aged or do not have issues related to obesity or insulin resistance may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between aging, inflammation in fat tissue, and insulin resistance. It focuses on how the body's fat cells change with age, particularly looking at the role of different types of immune cells in fat tissue. By studying these changes, the research aims to understand why older individuals may experience increased fat accumulation and metabolic issues. The approach includes examining the behavior of specific immune cells and their impact on fat metabolism in aging.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating obesity and insulin resistance in older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the role of immune cells in fat metabolism, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wu, Huaizhu — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Wu, Huaizhu
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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.