Keeping fat out of muscle: Branched amino acids and insulin resistance
Official title: Keeping fat out of muscle - Role of Branched Amino AcidsAmino Acids in Insulin Resistance
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-11384567 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project investigates how branched-chain amino acids affect insulin resistance in adults with type 2 diabetes risk, with a focus on muscle and blood vessel biology.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2018 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $705,907 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK114103-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11384567 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance who may have elevated BCAA levels and are able to participate in clinical or preclinical studies.
✕Less likely to help
People without insulin resistance or diabetes or those unable to participate in the proposed models and tests may not benefit.
What this research studies
The study examines how high levels of certain amino acids in the blood relate to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. It builds on animal studies showing that boosting or impairing BCAA breakdown changes insulin sensitivity, and investigates the underlying mechanisms in humans and model systems. Researchers are exploring how BCAA metabolism in smooth muscle and blood vessels could influence glucose uptake and blood pressure, with potential implications for new treatments. The work is conducted at the University of Pennsylvania, led by Dr. Zoltan Arany, and spans several years of research activity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to improve insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular health in people at risk for or living with type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research in animals supports a link between BCAA metabolism and insulin resistance, and this project aims to translate those findings to human biology.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arany, Zoltan P — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Arany, Zoltan P
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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.