How brown fat processes fructose and its effects on obesity and diabetes
Official title: Brown adipose tissue fructose metabolism
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11002331 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special type of fat in our bodies, called brown fat, uses fructose from our diets and how this might affect weight gain and conditions like type 2 diabetes, with the hope of finding new ways to help people manage their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | December 20, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $531,180 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135542-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11002331 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who consume high fructose diets and are at risk for obesity or type 2 diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume fructose or have no metabolic disorders related to obesity or diabetes may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how brown adipose tissue, a type of fat that burns energy, metabolizes fructose, particularly in the context of high fructose diets. The study aims to understand the role of a specific transporter, Glut5, in regulating fructose levels in the body and how this process may contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes. By analyzing the effects of fructose on brown fat in both mice and human cells, the research seeks to uncover new mechanisms that could influence weight gain and metabolic health. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to new dietary recommendations or treatments for obesity-related conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating obesity and type 2 diabetes by targeting fructose metabolism.
How similar studies have gone: While fructose metabolism has been studied in other organs, this specific focus on brown adipose tissue and its role in fructose regulation is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Liew, Chong Wee — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Liew, Chong Wee
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.