Category: Diabetes

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), originally named the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Disease, has been the national bastion of diabetes research for longer than most of the readership of Diabetes Care and Diabetes can recall. Founded in 1950, this year NIDDK celebrates its 75th year, a lifetime […]

For 75 years, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) has supported diabetes research and training to improve the lives of Americans with and at risk for the disease. Originally established by Congress as the National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases in 1950, the institute was renamed several times before […]

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder associated with an increased risk of systemic vascular complications. Notably, diabetic retinopathy (DR) represents a major microvascular complication and a leading cause of blindness and vision impairment. Despite its clinical significance, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying vascular dysfunction and the associated metabolic disturbances in DR remain incompletely understood. In this […]

We aimed to identify distinct axes of obesity using advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–derived phenotypes. We used 24 MRI-derived fat distribution and muscle volume measures (UK Biobank; N = 33,122) to construct obesity axes through principal component analysis. Genome-wide association studies were performed for each axis to uncover genetic factors, followed by pathway enrichment, genetic […]

We tested genetic variants in GCK, GCKR, and PNPLA3 in a large sample of self-identified Mexican Americans from the BetaGene Study for association with type 2 diabetes–related phenotypes under the hypothesis that they may regulate metabolic balance across the liver and contribute to hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance. We further tested whether interactions with dietary […]

Accurate measurement of GLUT4 translocation is crucial for understanding insulin resistance in skeletal muscle, a key factor in the development of metabolic diseases. However, current methods rely on overexpressed epitope-tagged GLUT4 constructs or indirect measurements, limiting their physiological relevance and applicability. To overcome these challenges, we developed an innovative high-sensitivity imaging-based method that enables the […]

The identification of a “rundlichen Häuflein” by Paul Langerhans more than 150 years ago marked the initiation of a global effort to unravel the mysteries of pancreatic islets, an intricate system of nutrient-sensing, hormone-secreting, and signaling cells. In type 1 diabetes, this interconnected network is vulnerable to malfunction and immune attack, with strategies to prevent […]

Islet cell replacement therapies have evolved as a viable treatment option for type 1 diabetes complicated by problematic hypoglycemia and glycemic lability. Refinements of islet manufacturing, islet transplantation procedures, peritransplant recipient management, and immunosuppressive protocols allowed most recipients to achieve favorable outcomes. Subsequent phase 3 trials of transplantation of deceased donor islets documented the effectiveness […]

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with diabetes. Individuals with type 1 diabetes have a two- to fourfold higher risk of CVD in comparison with the general population, driven by an earlier onset and increased lifetime incidence of CVD events and mortality. Similarly, type 2 diabetes confers two- […]

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK’s long history of research and innovation includes support of four types of collaborative research centers focused on diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases. The Diabetes Research Centers promote basic and clinical […]