Understanding a new pathway for type 2 diabetes treatment
Official title: Role of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Glucose Homeostasis
Funded at Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res · NIH-11123112 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This research explores how a natural body chemical might help improve both the function and number of insulin-producing cells for people with type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 14, 2022 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $392,118 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK133317-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11123112 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research is for adults with type 2 diabetes, as it focuses on understanding the underlying biological mechanisms of the disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without type 2 diabetes or those with other forms of diabetes may not directly benefit from this specific research focus.
What this research studies
We are looking into how a substance called angiotensin(1-7), which is part of your body's natural system, could help manage type 2 diabetes. Our findings suggest that a smaller piece of this substance, angiotensin(1-2), might improve how your body makes insulin and also help preserve or increase the cells that produce insulin. This work aims to uncover the exact ways angiotensin(1-2) works within the body, specifically focusing on its effects on insulin-producing cells and other related cells in the pancreas. By understanding these mechanisms, we hope to find new and more effective ways to treat type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new medications for type 2 diabetes that not only help insulin-producing cells work better but also increase their numbers.
How similar studies have gone: While the broader renin-angiotensin system is known, this specific pathway involving angiotensin(1-2) and its dual action on beta-cell function and mass is a novel area of investigation.
Where this research is happening
-
Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zraika, Sakeneh — Seattle Inst for Biomedical/clinical Res
- Study coordinator: Zraika, Sakeneh
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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.