How tiny fat-cell particles affect insulin in healthy versus unhealthy obesity
Exosomes and insulin action in metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity
['FUNDING_R01'] · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11176242
Looks at whether tiny particles released by fat tissue change how insulin works in people with obesity who are metabolically healthy or unhealthy.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11176242 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you join, we will collect blood and a small fat tissue sample so we can isolate tiny particles called small extracellular vesicles (exosomes). We will analyze what those particles carry—like small RNAs and lipids—and compare samples from three groups of participants. We will test how these particles affect insulin signaling in lab-grown muscle cells to see if they impair or improve insulin action. The study combines lab work on your samples with clinical information about insulin sensitivity and liver fat to understand why some people with obesity remain metabolically healthy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity who are willing to provide blood samples and a small adipose (fat) biopsy, including people with metabolically healthy or unhealthy obesity, are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without obesity or those unwilling or unable to provide a fat tissue biopsy are unlikely to be enrolled or directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to new markers or treatments to prevent or reverse insulin resistance and related conditions like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver.
How similar studies have performed: Animal studies and early human-sample work show fat-derived exosomes can change insulin signaling, but translating this to human-targeted treatments is still novel.
Where this research is happening
SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES
- WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY — SAINT LOUIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: KLEIN, SAMUEL — WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: KLEIN, SAMUEL
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