Islet GLP-1 and hormone control in adults with brittle or type 2 diabetes
Official title: The effect of endogenous GLP-1 secretion on islet function in vivo
Funded at Mayo Clinic Rochester · NIH-11296888 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research looks at how the body's own GLP-1 hormone affects how the pancreas handles insulin and glucose in adults with brittle diabetes and related conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Mayo Clinic Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $727,834 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK126206-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11296888 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus with brittle diabetes features or related glucose regulation issues.
✕Less likely to help
People without glucose regulation problems or without the specific islet GLP-1 pathway dysregulation may not benefit.
What this research studies
The project explores whether natural GLP-1 produced by the alpha cells in the pancreas is essential for healthy islet function in people with diabetes. Researchers will test the role of islet GLP-1 by blocking the GLP-1 receptor with exendin 9-39 and observing changes in insulin and glucagon release, before and after a 4-week GLP-1 receptor–activating treatment. The study also aims to see how glycemic control and weight loss influence this system, and to unravel how a genetic variant in TCF7L2 might alter alpha and beta cell function. This work could clarify mechanisms behind glucose regulation in humans and point toward new approaches for managing diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to better understanding of how GLP-1 controls insulin and glucagon, informing future therapies for diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior human studies suggest GLP-1 from islets influences hormone secretion, but the exact role in prediabetes and brittle diabetes is not fully defined.
Where this research is happening
-
Mayo Clinic Rochester
Rochester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vella, Adrian — Mayo Clinic Rochester
- Study coordinator: Vella, Adrian
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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.