diabetes Archives

Audio recordings could benefit older adults following clinic visits

Oct. 6, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers are studying the impact of sharing audio recordings of their visits with older adults who have diabetes.

Immune cells drive beta cell loss in Type 2 diabetes

Sep. 8, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers have discovered details of pancreatic beta cell loss — and potential therapeutic targets — during conditions of overnutrition, as occurs in obesity.

William Russell, MD, second from right, is the principal investigator for a study that uses a plasmid-based therapy to try to selectively desensitize the immune system in people with Type 1 diabetes. Shown here are, from left, Lana Howard, RN, CCRP; Brenna Hammel, RN, CPN; study participant Adam Brooks; Russell; and Robin Perkins, RN. Not pictured: Faith Brendle, RN, CPN, CCRP.

Trial participant steps up to help advance diabetes research

Sep. 1, 2022—Vanderbilt is one of 16 North American sites conducting the Tolerance Using Plasmid in People with Type 1 Diabetes (TOPPLE) study, a phase 1 investigation that tests the safety and dosing of a new plasmid therapy.

Gannon selected for American Diabetes Association Award

Jun. 22, 2022—Maureen Gannon, PhD, professor of Medicine, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Cell and Developmental Biology, is the recipient of the 2022 Lois Jovanovic Transformative Woman in Diabetes Award presented by the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

Diabetes, cardiovascular drug targets

May. 24, 2022—Targeting receptors of the inflammatory lipid signaling molecule PGE2 may offer a new way to tackle both Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

From left, Raymond C. Harris, MD, Shirong Cao, MD, PhD, Ming-Zhi Zhang, MD, MSc, and colleagues are studying the role of inflammation in obesity.

Study sheds light on the dark side of obesity

May. 12, 2022—Vanderbilt research that promotes the anti-inflammatory pathway in macrophages could also reduce some of the bad side effects of obesity.

Gene network linked to Type 2 diabetes

May. 5, 2022—Vanderbilt researchers used a novel analytical approach to identify a network of genes associated with Type 2 diabetes, including 31 genes that had not previously been associated with the disease.

New way to bEET insulin resistance

Nov. 11, 2021—Signaling molecules called EETs could improve insulin resistance, a primary risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered.

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.