Leucine-boosted beige fat to help manage adult-onset diabetes
Official title: Effect of TRB3 and Leucine Supplement on Beige Fat Formation
Funded at Tennessee State University · NIH-11400395 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project explores whether a leucine supplement can help the body make more beige fat to increase energy burn in adults with or at risk for Type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Tennessee State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | July 19, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $142,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM149457-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400395 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for Type 2 diabetes who are able to participate in dietary and exercise/testing studies.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals unable to take dietary supplements or participate in animal studies may not experience direct benefits.
What this research studies
Beige fat is a type of fat that can burn calories to generate heat, which may help control obesity and diabetes. The study will look at how leucine affects beige fat formation and whether lowering TRB3 in fat tissue is part of this process. Researchers will test this in mice to see if leucine-fed animals build more beige fat and resist diet-induced obesity, and whether this works alongside exercise or cold exposure. If successful, the work could point toward a dietary supplement strategy to support metabolic health in adults with diabetes risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, leucine supplementation could become a simple dietary approach to promote energy expenditure and help manage obesity and Type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests TRB3 suppression promotes beige fat; this study tests leucine as a practical way to achieve that effect.
Where this research is happening
-
Tennessee State University
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Koh, Ho-Jin — Tennessee State University
- Study coordinator: Koh, Ho-Jin
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.