How the liver protein GDF15 affects weight and blood sugar
Novel aspects of Gdf15 biology and function
Finds out whether GDF15 made by liver cells helps improve blood sugar and insulin resistance in adults with obesity-related type 2 diabetes, separate from weight loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11291794 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are working to understand how a protein called GDF15, which the liver makes under stress, might help control blood sugar and insulin resistance in obesity-linked type 2 diabetes. They will use laboratory models, including animal studies and liver cell experiments, to separate effects that come from weight loss from direct effects on glucose metabolism. The team will test whether GDF15 acts through the known brain receptor or through other pathways in the liver and muscle. Results could point to new biological pathways that might be targeted by future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity-related type 2 diabetes and measurable insulin resistance are the patient group most directly relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People with type 1 diabetes or those whose blood sugar problems are unrelated to obesity-driven insulin resistance are less likely to benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that improve insulin resistance and blood sugar control in type 2 diabetes even without weight loss.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical animal studies have shown that giving GDF15 can lower body weight and improve glucose control, but clear evidence that it helps glucose metabolism independent of weight loss is limited.
Where this research is happening
Pittsburgh, United States
- University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh — Pittsburgh, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jurczak, Michael J. — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Jurczak, Michael J.
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.