How glucagon affects blood sugar, amino acids, and liver fat
Glucagon secretion and action in humans
This work looks at why adults with or without type 2 diabetes respond differently to glucagon, a hormone that helps control blood sugar, amino acids, and liver fat.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11138607 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will measure glucagon levels, amino acids, and markers of liver metabolism in adults to see how these responses vary between people with healthy livers and those with fatty liver or type 2 diabetes. They will examine hormone responses after meals and during periods of caloric restriction, using blood sampling and metabolic testing to track glucose production, amino acid clearance, and fat breakdown. The team will explore whether glucagon’s effects on glucose are linked or separate from its actions on amino acid and lipid metabolism and whether a liver–alpha cell feedback loop seen in animals exists in humans. Results will come from comparing groups of participants and their metabolic responses over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with or at risk for type 2 diabetes, especially those with fatty liver (hepatic steatosis) or recent weight changes, would be the most likely candidates.
Not a fit: Children, people with type 1 diabetes, or those whose conditions are unrelated to glucagon or liver metabolism would likely not benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to better ways to target glucagon-related pathways to improve blood sugar control and liver health in people with or at risk for type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research has clarified glucagon’s role in glucose production, but linking glucagon to amino acid clearance, fat metabolism, and a liver–alpha cell feedback loop in humans remains largely new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- Mayo Clinic Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vella, Adrian — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Vella, Adrian
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.