Zhenqi Liu, MD
Zhenqi Liu, MD, professor in the Department of Medicine and the James M. Moss Professor of Diabetes in the Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, has been awarded a five-year, $3.9 million NIH grant to investigate insulin resistance and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in the context of obesity and type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Despite advances in glycemic and cardiovascular risk management, individuals with T1D continue to face a 3- to 10-fold higher risk of cardiovascular disease. More than 60% are overweight or obese, further increasing this risk and underscoring the need for improved mechanistic insight and targeted interventions.
In collaboration with Siddhartha Angadi, PhD, associate professor of kinesiology in the School of Education and Human Development, and Antonio Abbate, MD, professor in the Department of Medicine, Dr. Liu will examine whether skeletal and cardiac muscle microvascular insulin resistance contributes to reduced CRF in T1D, whether obesity exacerbates these impairments, and whether a 14-week high-intensity interval training program improves microvascular insulin sensitivity and CRF in individuals with T1D, obesity, or both.
In addition, the study will assess the relationships among endothelial oxidative stress, vascular function, and cardiac and skeletal muscle performance before and after exercise training. Findings from this work are expected to define key mechanisms and identify potential therapeutic targets to reduce cardiovascular risk in T1D.
Dr. Liu also acknowledges the contributions of the UVA research team: Lee Hartline, MS, clinical research coordinator; Jia Liu, PhD, assistant professor of research; Jie Li, PhD, research scientist; Thomas Sin, PhD, research Scientist; Fang Zhao, PhD, postdoctoral research associate; Kara Anderson, PhD, postdoctoral research fellow; and James Patrie, statistician.
Learn more about the Liu Lab, which integrates studies in rodent models and cultured cells with clinical investigations in humans to better understand how insulin and incretin’s vascular and metabolic actions are regulated in health, insulin resistance, and diabetes.
Filed Under: Research