How poor growth before birth harms the fetal liver and raises later diabetes risk
Insulin and nutrient actions in the FGR fetal liver
['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · NIH-11249214
This work looks at whether high lactate from low-oxygen pregnancies causes liver insulin resistance and early scarring in babies born small, increasing their chance of type 2 diabetes later in life.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11249214 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team uses a sheep model that mimics babies born small because of poor fetal growth or low oxygen to examine liver metabolism, lactate levels, and signs of scarring. They compare normal fetuses with growth-restricted and low-oxygen (hypoxemia) fetuses and measure glucose production, insulin signaling, and collagen in the liver. Researchers will study which liver cell types respond to lactate and the molecular steps that could link lactate to insulin resistance and fibrosis. The goal is to find biological targets that could be used later to prevent liver disease and diabetes in people born small.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People born small for gestational age or with a history of fetal growth restriction, particularly those showing early signs of liver problems or insulin resistance, would be the group most relevant to these findings.
Not a fit: People whose diabetes has no connection to being born small or who do not have signs of fetal growth restriction are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to ways to prevent or reduce liver scarring and future type 2 diabetes risk in people born with fetal growth restriction.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal work has shown early liver insulin resistance, higher lactate, and collagen deposition in growth-restricted and low-oxygen fetal models, while the cell-specific signaling role of lactate remains a newer focus.
Where this research is happening
Aurora, UNITED STATES
- UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER — Aurora, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: WESOLOWSKI, STEPHANIE R — UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- Study coordinator: WESOLOWSKI, STEPHANIE R
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.
Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus