Scientists hunt for hidden fat molecules that sabotage insulin
NCT ID NCT03077360
First seen Jul 17, 2026 · Last updated Jul 17, 2026
Summary
This study investigates how specific fat molecules called diacylglycerols and sphingolipids inside muscle cells influence insulin resistance. Researchers will measure these lipids in different parts of muscle cells before and after weight loss or exercise in people with obesity, prediabetes, or type 2 diabetes. The goal is to pinpoint which fat types and locations drive insulin resistance, potentially guiding future treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lifestyle changes including diet-induced weight loss or exercise training
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this research could identify specific fat molecules to target for new type 2 diabetes treatments.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational and exploratory study, not a treatment trial. The findings may not lead directly to new therapies.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
-
62 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Feb 2017
- Finished
-
Nov 2020
- Lead sponsor
-
Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
30 to 50 years
- Sex
-
Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * BMI: 30-40 kg/m2 * Planned physical activity: \<2 hrs/week * Glucose tolerance: 1. Normal glucose tolerance (NGT) defined as: 1. HbA1c of \<5.7%, 2. pre-diabetes as HbA1c of 5.7-6.4%, and 3. type 2 diabetes as HbA1c of ≥6.5% 2. pre-diabetes, and 3. Type 2 diabetes * Oral contraceptive use: Yes or No as long as there is no change during the study * Thyroid status: TSH between 0.5-5.0 mU/L Exclusion Criteria: * Currently taking 1. Thiazolidinediones 2. Insulin * Pregnant * Smoker (tobacco and any form of marijuana use) * Fasting triglycerides \>400mg/dl
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for Diabetes mellitus type 2 are added.
Genom att skicka in godkänner du våra Användarvillkor
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Colorado
Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
- Custom knee guides put to the test in obese patients
- A pill for obesity? early human trial puts MDR-001 to the test
- Can a weekly shot help people who still struggle with weight after bariatric surgery?
- Can a nurse and a neighbor help tame chronic disease?
- Do GLP-1 Weight-Loss drugs change how teens eat and feel?
- Which SGLT2 inhibitor wins? trial pits empagliflozin against dapagliflozin