This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The purpose of this research study is to find out how type 1 diabetes affects the way the body uses glucose, which is the sugar that the body uses for energy. The hormone insulin is needed to bring glucose into the cells to be used for energy, and the amount of insulin that is needed to keep glucose levels in the blood normal is called 'insulin sensitivity'. Some people need more insulin than others to keep blood glucose levels normal. A test called the insulin clamp can be used to measure insulin sensitivity. This test is done by putting an IV, or small plastic tube, into the arm and infusing both glucose and insulin into the blood. A doctor tests the blood glucose levels every few minutes, and adjusts the amount of glucose that is being infused to keep the blood glucose level the same. The test takes a total of about 8 hours. For this research study, we plan to test insulin sensitivity in about 96 people, half with type 1 diabetes and half normal volunteers without diabetes. We will also draw blood samples for tests that we think might be related to how insulin sensitive a person is, including fats, hormones and immune system components in the blood. We will also measure height and weight, waist and hip girth, total body fat and abdominal fat volumes. The amount of fat in the abdomen will be measured using a CT scan. This test involves a very low dose of radiation, but this dose equals less than 1% of the radiation exposure allowed every year by the FDA. From this research study, we hope to learn what factors, such as waist girth, waist to hip ratio, and blood tests, can be used to predict insulin sensitivity. We are also interested in whether the same factors are related to insulin sensitivity in people with type 1 diabetes and in non-diabetic volunteers. In addition, we hope to learn how different levels of insulin affect the release of free fatty acids from stored fats in people with type 1 diabetes compared to non-diabetic volunteers.
Showing the most recent 10 out of 1065 publications
