Vitamin D and early-life risk of obesity and insulin resistance

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

We're studying whether low vitamin D during pregnancy can reprogram fetal immune and fat-cell development in ways that raise a child's risk of obesity and insulin resistance. The team combines analysis of samples from veterans and their offspring with laboratory mouse experiments to trace how prenatal vitamin D status changes genes, immune stem cells, and microRNA signals in fat tissue. They will test whether giving vitamin D before birth prevents those molecular changes and the later development of excess weight and metabolic problems. This mix of human sample work and animal models aims to show the biological steps that could be targeted to protect children.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• St. Louis VA Medical Center
  St. Louis, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Bernal-Mizrachi, Carlos — St. Louis VA Medical Center
• Study coordinator: Bernal-Mizrachi, Carlos

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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• Investigating the role of vitamin D in obesity and insulin resistance in young veterans

  This study is looking at how not getting enough vitamin D during pregnancy might lead to weight gain and health problems in young veterans and their children, and it hopes to find out if taking vitamin D supplements while pregnant can help prevent these issues.

  NIH research St. Louis VA Medical Center · St. Louis, UNITED STATES · NIH-11098588

• Investigating a new target for treating obesity-related insulin resistance

  This study is looking at how a specific molecule and its receptor affect weight gain and how our bodies use insulin, with the goal of finding new ways to help people with obesity improve their health.

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• Investigating the link between obesity, insulin resistance, and asthma severity

  This study is looking at how insulin resistance, pre-diabetes, and diabetes impact asthma control in people with obesity who have asthma, especially those getting weight loss surgery, to help understand how these conditions might affect their breathing and overall health.

  NIH research Baylor College of Medicine · Houston, United States · NIH-11072964

• Investigating the role of a peptide in obesity and insulin resistance

  This study is looking at how a substance called endothelin-1 might make it harder for your body to use insulin properly, which can lead to type II diabetes, especially in people who are overweight, and it hopes to find out if blocking certain receptors can help improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.

  NIH research University of Mississippi Med Ctr · Jackson, United States · NIH-11018503

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.