How liver glucagon signaling may affect healthy aging
Investigating the Role of Hepatic Glucagon Receptor Signaling in Healthspan and Aging
Researchers want to learn if signals from the glucagon receptor in the liver help protect against aging-related decline, especially in people with obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arizona NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tucson, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11314613 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You should know this work looks at how the liver hormone glucagon and its receptor influence lifespan and healthspan. Scientists will use genetic and viral (AAV) approaches in lab models to change glucagon receptor signaling in the liver and measure metabolic health, lifespan, and cellular pathways like AMPK and cAMP. The team will link those molecular changes to measures of aging and to conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Because drugs that target glucagon signaling are being developed for diabetes and obesity, the findings could help explain benefits or risks for patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with obesity or type 2 diabetes, or older adults interested in future therapies targeting glucagon signaling, would be the most relevant groups for follow-up or future trials.
Not a fit: Individuals without metabolic disease or those seeking immediate clinical treatments are unlikely to get direct benefits from this preclinical research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide safer use of glucagon-targeting diabetes and obesity treatments and suggest new ways to preserve healthy years of life.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies already show glucagon signaling affects lifespan and that AMPK and cAMP pathways relate to healthspan, but applying these findings to people remains new.
Where this research is happening
Tucson, United States
- University of Arizona — Tucson, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stern, Jennifer Helene — University of Arizona
- Study coordinator: Stern, Jennifer Helene
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.