Investigating how fat tissue affects muscle insulin resistance in diabetes
Official title: The Role of IMAT Inflammatory Secretome on Muscle Insulin Resistance
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10948910 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how fat between muscles might affect insulin resistance in people with obesity and type 2 diabetes, and it hopes to find new ways to help improve insulin sensitivity for those who need it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Fellowship grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | October 5, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $74,284 |
| NIH project number | 5F32DK134086-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948910 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults with obesity or prediabetes/type 2 diabetes, particularly those who are willing to provide muscle tissue samples.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without obesity or metabolic disorders, or those who do not wish to participate in tissue sampling, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) in causing insulin resistance in skeletal muscles, particularly in individuals with obesity and type 2 diabetes. By analyzing the secretions from IMAT, the study aims to determine how these factors vary with body mass index (BMI) and insulin sensitivity. The researchers will collect IMAT samples from participants and evaluate the inflammatory signals that may contribute to metabolic dysfunction. This could lead to new insights into potential interventions for improving insulin sensitivity in affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for treating or preventing insulin resistance in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that inflammatory factors from adipose tissue can influence insulin sensitivity, suggesting that this approach has potential based on existing findings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mckenna, Colleen — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Mckenna, Colleen
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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.