Understanding how weight changes affect the pancreas
Official title: Uncovering mechanisms of pancreatic adaptability to weight cycling
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11240973 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how losing and gaining weight over and over again affects the pancreas's ability to make insulin, which is important for people who might struggle with weight changes and want to understand their risk for conditions like type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | August 16, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $64,621 |
| NIH project number | 7K01DK136926-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11240973 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who experience significant fluctuations in weight and are at risk for metabolic diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who maintain a stable weight and do not experience weight cycling may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how repeated cycles of weight loss and regain, known as weight cycling, impact the pancreas's ability to produce insulin. Using a mouse model, the study examines the cellular and metabolic changes that occur in the pancreas during these cycles. The researchers aim to uncover the mechanisms that lead to impaired insulin secretion and increased risk of metabolic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, in individuals who experience weight cycling. By understanding these processes, the research hopes to identify potential targets for improving metabolic health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes in individuals who struggle with weight cycling.
How similar studies have gone: While the specific mechanisms of weight cycling on pancreatic function are being explored in this research, similar studies have shown that understanding metabolic adaptations can lead to significant advancements in diabetes treatment.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Winn, Nathan C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Winn, Nathan C
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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.