Center for Molecular Metabolism
The Center for Metabolic Health advances transformative research across the spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical science. Through competitive grant funding and clinical investigation, our researchers are working to improve health outcomes for individuals affected by metabolic diseases.
| NAME OF TRIAL | TRIAL PI | DESCRIPTION | CONTACT | CLINICAL TRIALS.GOV ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Study | Drs. L Norton and R DeFronzo | To understand the role that mitochondria - often referred to as the powerhouse of the cell - play in the development and progression of fatty liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. | diabetes-research@uthscsa.edu | |
| SGLT2 Inhibitors, Ketones & Cardiovascular Benefit | Drs. C Solis-Herrera, E Cersosimo, and R DeFronzo | To examine the effects of SGLT2i (and SGLT2i –induced increase in plasma ketone concentrations) on skeletal muscle and cardiac ketone uptake, skeletal muscle bioenergetics, cardiopulmonary exercises capacity, and patient-reported functional outcomes. | diabetes-research@uthscsa.edu | HSC20210528H |
| Treatment of NAFLD Study | Drs. L Norton and R DeFronzo | To establish a minimally invasive method to quantitate hepatic mitochondrial in human subject’s in vivo using stable isotope tracers coupled to 2H and 13C NMR analyses, quantitate hepatic mitochondrial fluxes in control and T2D patients with NAFLD, and examine the impact of pioglitazone treatment on mitochondrial fluxes in patients with NAFLD. These studies are designed to generate preliminary data that will facilitate larger clinical studies designed to interrogate the role of hepatic mitochondrial function in the development, progression and treatment of NAFLD and related disorders. | diabetes-research@uthscsa.edu | HSC20210284H |
| Pioglitazone, Lipotoxicity and Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) | Drs. R DeFronzo | To see the effects on Pioglitazone on skeletal and myocardial muscle. Our previous research shows, Pioglitazone Improves insulin sensitivity in skeletal and myocardial muscles, decreases fat in the muscles leading to improved measures of both diastolic and systolic functions of heart in obese, type 2 diabetic patients. | diabetes-research@uthscsa.edu | HSC20220916H |
| Ultrasound and Aging | Drs. B Rasmussen and T Cortes | The purpose of this research study is to evaluate a new experimental device called an ultrasound bath. This device uses low-frequency ultrasound (a type of sound wave) delivered through water to determine whether it may improve muscle and physical function in older adults. | (210) 450-3333 | NCT07168525 |
| MARVEL | Dr. T Cortes | The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether long-term side effects from the virus that causes COVID-19 infection affects physical function and cells named senescent cells (a cell that ages and permanently stops dividing but does not die). Additionally, we will evaluate interventions in those with a body mass index > 30 to determine if these intervention might have a positive effect on whole body function. | (210) 450-3333 | NCT05880108 |
| RESTOR | Drs. E Craig, D Kellogg, T Cortes | Studies in mice have identified drugs that slow the aging process. This study is focused on one such family of drugs, called mTOR inhibitors. We will test two of these drugs in healthy older adults to find a protocol that can be used safely. | (210) 450-3333 | NCT06658093 |
| University Hospital Diabetes Research Studies |  | |||
| PI's | PROJECT NUMBER | TITLE | ORGANIZATION |
|---|---|---|---|
| DeFronzo R | 5 R01 DK024092-41 | SGLT2 Inhibitors, Ketogenesis, and Ketoacidosis | NIDDK |
| DeFronzo R | 5 R01 DK107680-10 | Ketones, Muscle Metabolism, and SGLT2 Inhibitors | NIDDK |
| Dong L, Ledbetter EA | 5 R01 DK134637-04 | Adiponectin signaling and macrophage function | NIDDK |
| Han X, Chen L, Dupree, J | 5 R01 AG085545-03 | The role of sulfatide in the development of tauopathy in the context of ADRD | NIA |
| Muniswamy M | 5 R35 GM145294-05 | Magnesium flux compendium: Discover ligands, channels, and metabolic signals | NIGMS |
| Muniswamy M | 5 R01 HL175081-02 | Characterize TMEM94 as ER Mg2+ uptake machinery and pathophysiological consequences | NHLBI |
| Muniswamy M, Baur J | 5 R01 DK135179-04 | Mechanisms and therapeutic potential of blocking the mitochondrial Mg2+ channel Mrs2 in obesity and NAFLD | NIDDK |
| Norton L | 5Tf R01 DK128247-05 | The Regulation of Hepatic Metabolic Zonation by the Diabetes Gene TCF7L2 | NIDDK |
| Norton L, DeFronzo R | 5Tf R01 DK129676-05 | Targeting hepatic mitochondrial function in humans with NAFLD using insulin sensitizers | NIDDK |
| Norton L, DeFronzo R, Parker SCJ | 1Tf R01 DK145103-01A1 | Identification of cell type-specific insulin responsive quantitative trait loci in human skeletal muscle | NIDDK |
| Salmon A, Kokovay E, Nelson J | 2 T32 AG021890-21A1 | Training Grant on the Biology of Aging | NIA |
| Salmon A, Strong, R | 5 U01 AG022307-23 | Center for Testing Potential Anti-Aging Interventions | NIA |
| Sharma K, Bjornstad P | 1 R01 DK143234-01A1 | Metabolite Markers of Diabetic Kidney Disease | NIDDK |
| Sun X | 1 R01 DK144299-01A1 | Role of OxPLs-mediated oxidative damage in MASH | NIDDK |
| Zang M | 5 R01 AA031407-03 | Deciphering RNA Splicing Control of Lipid Metabolism and Alcoholic Liver Injury | NIAAA |
| Zhang N | 5 R01 AI177345-03 | Lymphoid residency of Tcf-1+ CD8+ T cells during tumor vaccine responses | NIAID |
| Zhao P | 5 R01 DK133304-05 | A novel pathway controls liver injury in NASH | NIDDK |
| Zhao S | 5 R01 AG084646-03 | Effects of leptin modulation on health span and lifespan | NIA |
| Zhao S | 5 R01 DK138035-03 | Paracrine effects of leptin in regulating visceral fat expansion | NIDDK |