Improving liver health and diabetes management through targeted fat metabolism
Official title: Targeting hepatic mitochondrial oxidation to treat NAFLD, NASH and type 2 diabetes
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11012832 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a special treatment that helps your liver burn fat might improve conditions like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and type 2 diabetes, and it's for people who have these health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | January 18, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $647,207 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK135645-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11012832 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with NAFLD, NASH, or type 2 diabetes, particularly those experiencing insulin resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have NAFLD, NASH, or type 2 diabetes are unlikely to benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how enhancing the liver's ability to oxidize fat can help treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and type 2 diabetes (T2D). The approach involves promoting fat oxidation in the liver using a glucagon infusion, which may reduce fat buildup and improve insulin sensitivity. By studying the effects of this treatment in individuals with these conditions, the research aims to uncover the cellular mechanisms involved and assess the potential for reversing liver-related health issues. Participants may undergo assessments to measure liver fat content and insulin response over the course of the study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that significantly improve liver health and diabetes management for affected patients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown promising results in enhancing liver fat oxidation to improve insulin sensitivity, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shulman, Gerald I — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Shulman, Gerald I
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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.