Understanding how insulin resistance affects type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease
Official title: Hepatic insulin resistance integrates T2D and NAFLD
Funded at Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-10980982 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how type 2 diabetes can affect liver health, especially when it comes to fatty liver disease, by testing a sugary diet on mice to find out what happens and how we might help people with these conditions in the future.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Children's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $806,452 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DK137942-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10980982 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, particularly those showing signs of insulin resistance.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without type 2 diabetes or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or those with other unrelated metabolic conditions, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the connection between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), focusing on how chronic insulin resistance in the liver can lead to severe liver conditions. The study uses a mouse model to explore the effects of a diet similar to common sugary foods and beverages on liver health and insulin function. By examining genetic modifications in mice, the researchers aim to identify specific pathways that worsen these diseases and how they might be targeted for treatment in humans.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments that prevent or reverse the progression of type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the mechanisms linking insulin resistance with fatty liver disease, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: White, Morris F. — Boston Children's Hospital
- Study coordinator: White, Morris F.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Hepatic insulin resistance linking type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease
This project looks at how insulin resistance in the liver connects type 2 diabetes with fatty liver disease and its progression to a harmful liver condition in a mouse model and human data.
-
Understanding the connection between type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease
This project explores how insulin resistance in the liver links type 2 diabetes with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, which can progress to a more serious condition called NASH.
-
Investigating how a gene variant affects diabetes and liver disease in African Americans
This study is looking at how a certain gene variant affects the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, especially in African American communities, and it invites patients to share their genetic samples or health information to help uncover how this variant influences insulin and sugar processing in
-
Lipid signals that control acetyl-CoA and fat metabolism in NAFLD
A study exploring how membrane lipids influence acetyl-CoA metabolism to understand and potentially treat nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
-
Long-term study of NAFLD progression and gut bacteria in diverse groups
We’re following people over time to see how the gut microbiome and diet relate to fatty liver disease progression in diverse racial/ethnic groups.
-
Profiling immune cells to find early inflammation clues in kids with obesity and insulin resistance
This project looks at how immune cells in children with obesity may show early inflammatory changes linked to insulin resistance.
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.