Understanding Fat Cell Stress in Diabetes

Adipose Tissue Metabolic Stress Responses

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER · NIH-11123223

This research aims to understand how stress in fat cells contributes to obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIV OF MASSACHUSETTS MED SCH WORCESTER (nih funded)
Locations1 site (WORCESTER, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11123223 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Obesity can lead to serious health problems like insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Our bodies' fat cells play a key role in this process, especially when they experience stress. This project looks closely at a specific signaling pathway, called JNK, within fat cells to discover how it causes inflammation and makes the body resistant to insulin. By understanding these detailed mechanisms, we hope to find new ways to help people manage or prevent these conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: This foundational research does not directly involve patient participation at this stage, but it focuses on understanding conditions relevant to individuals with obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes.

Not a fit: Patients not affected by obesity, insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new targets for medicines that prevent or treat insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes by addressing stress in fat cells.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies in mice have shown that blocking certain JNK signals in fat cells can prevent inflammation and insulin resistance, suggesting this is a promising area of investigation.

Where this research is happening

WORCESTER, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.