How the liver responds during insulin-caused low blood sugar
Official title: On the regulation of hepatic glucose metabolism during insulin-induced hypoglycemia
Funded at University of Cincinnati · NIH-11257359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Looks at whether giving C‑peptide during insulin‑induced low blood sugar helps the liver raise blood sugar in people with and without type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Cincinnati NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2016 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $605,994 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK106364-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11257359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults who either have type 1 diabetes (especially those who experience problematic hypoglycemia) or healthy volunteers willing to undergo brief, monitored insulin‑induced hypoglycemia.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot safely receive IV insulin or C‑peptide, have serious medical comorbidities, or are pregnant would likely not benefit or be eligible for participation.
What this research studies
You would take part in controlled visits where low blood sugar is created briefly with an IV insulin infusion, and during one visit you would also receive an IV infusion of C‑peptide while in the other visit you would receive saline. The team will measure how much glucose your liver makes (endogenous glucose production) and blood levels of counterregulatory hormones like glucagon and adrenaline. The same question will be tested in both healthy volunteers and people with type 1 diabetes so researchers can compare responses. Parallel experiments in dogs will be used to study the biological mechanisms behind any protective effect seen.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to a way to reduce dangerous low blood sugar by restoring liver glucose output during hypoglycemia.
How similar studies have gone: Previous animal work in dogs showed that C‑peptide boosted glucagon and liver glucose production, but this approach has not yet been proven in people.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winnick, Jason — University of Cincinnati
- Study coordinator: Winnick, Jason
Related research
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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.