diabetes Archives

Team members involved in the study include, from left, Melissa Hilmes, MD, Daniel Moore, MD, PhD, Alvin Powers, MD, Jon Williams, PhD, and Jack Virostko, PhD. (photo by Jessica Kimber)

Study proves standardized protocol can support reliable MRI use for multisite pancreatic research

Aug. 27, 2021—Researchers with the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC) at Vanderbilt University Medical Center led a multisite study which has demonstrated that, when controlled and standardized, quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the pancreas is highly reproducible when using different MRI hardware and software at different geographic locations.

Gene expression in diabetic nephropathy

Aug. 5, 2021—Vanderbilt researchers are looking to mRNA populations in podocytes — kidney cells that help filter blood — to help identify potential targets for treating diabetic kidney disease.

Shichun Bao, MD, PhD, center, and Brenda Weedman, RN, BSN, discuss continuous glucose monitors with patient Sherry Neergaard.

Study shows continuous glucose monitors improve management of type 2 diabetes

Jul. 15, 2021—For patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal or long-acting insulin, the use of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) can result in significantly lower hemoglobin A1C (a blood test that reflects average blood glucose levels over three months), and better management of the disease according to a study recently published in the journal JAMA.

Beta cell regeneration

May. 20, 2021—Vanderbilt researchers dissected the complex microenvironment of the pancreatic islet to discover the signals that drive beta cell regeneration — as a possible treatment for diabetes.

HIV, diabetes and immune cells in fat

Mar. 18, 2021—In HIV-positive individuals with diabetes, immune cells in fat are more proinflammatory and cytotoxic and may represent a therapeutic target for diabetes.

Targeting glucagon action in diabetes

Mar. 4, 2021—Disrupting the action of glucagon — a pancreatic hormone that works to raise blood glucose — restores functional insulin-producing cells in mouse models of type 1 diabetes and may be a promising treatment strategy.

Gene variant and glucose metabolism

Feb. 18, 2021—Genetic variation that impacts glucose- and insulin-related signaling affects responses to type 2 diabetes treatments and warrants further study.

Katie Coate, PhD, left, Jeeyeon Cha, MD, PhD, and colleagues are working to understand the interaction of diabetes and COVID-19.

Study sheds light on diabetes and COVID interaction

Dec. 10, 2020—COVID-19 has been linked to cases of new-onset diabetes, diabetes-related emergencies and a higher death rate among diabetes patients.

Researchers urge priority vaccination for individuals with diabetes due to increased COVID-19 impact

Dec. 4, 2020—Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers have discovered individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes infected with COVID-19 are three times more likely to have a severe illness or require hospitalization compared with people without diabetes.