Unique mission of Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center
Committed to creating a world without diabetes
Ohio State University Medical Center’s Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center is committed to conducting clinical trials and basic research that translate to managing, preventing and curing diabetes. Our patients have access to participate in state-of-the-art clinical trials for new drugs and technologies. The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center collaborates with several divisions to foster a team approach in innovative procedures such as islet cell, pancreas and kidney transplantation. In 2008, OSU Medical Center conducted the first human islet cell transplant in Ohio, and is one of few centers in the nation to offer this new and innovative treatment option.
Our vision at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center’s Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center is “to create a world without diabetes.” Our dedicated team of physicians and researchers are committed to making this vision a reality by focusing on personalized health care to provide better outcomes in research, patient care and education.
The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center is committed to conducting clinical trials and basic research that translate to managing, preventing and curing diabetes. Our patients have access to participate in state-of-the-art clinical trials for new drugs and technologies.
The Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center collaborates with several divisions to foster a team approach in innovative procedures such as islet cell, pancreas and kidney transplantation. In 2008, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center conducted the first human islet cell transplant in Ohio, and is one of few centers in the nation to offer this new and innovative treatment option.
Our Research
The ability to perform ICT at Ohio State epitomizes advancement in the care of patients with severe beta cell pancreatic diseases. The ICT program in both human and non-human primates has been a joint venture between Ohio State's Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center and Comprehensive Transplantation Center. Dr. Wang, a researcher within the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center, set up an entire lab devoted to the basic research of islet cell biology. The lab is wholly focused on clinical research in the related field of diabetes study, which Dr. Wang had initially started at the HHMI lab in the University of Chicago in November 2006.
Improving beta cell function in young Mexican American women with prediabetes
This R01-funded investigation, led by principal investigator Willa Hsueh, MD, targets serious health disparities in metabolic disease in a highly vulnerable, rapidly growing population. It tests novel gender- and culturally-focused intervention strategies lead by co-investigator Evangelina Villagomez, PhD, in Houston, TX. The study team includes, Kathleen Wyne, MD, PhD, and David Bradley, MD. The primary endpoint will be improved pancreatic function Beta (β)-cell function (acute insulin response, deposition index) defined by frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance testing. Secondary endpoints include changes in β-cell markers (C-peptide, insulinogenic index (IGI), glucagon), novel plasma biomarkers that predict diabetes and inflammation and metabolic syndrome components.
Most genes that have been identified for diabetes-related traits influence β-cell growth, differentiation and function. Co-investigators from UCLA, Drs. Rotter, Chen and Goodarzi, will assist this team in selecting a group of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the Metabochip to correlate variations in such type 2 diabetes genes and loci with insulin responses and other phenotypes in liraglutide-treated subjects.
Our objective is to combine an intensive lifestyle intervention approach (LSI), in combination with a glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist to improve β-cell function and prevent the downward spiral of metabolic disease in the Mexican American community plagued by poverty. We are targeting Mexican American women because they have the highest rates of metabolic syndrome in the U.S. compared to men or other ethnic groups.
Recent large multicenter inpatient and outpatient studies have highlighted the potential benefits as well as potential dangers of tight blood sugar control. Such studies have prompted calls for safer, more individualized approaches to diabetes therapy, particularly in patients with end organ complications. In particular, measures to stabilize glucose fluctuations may have the potential to preserve or enhance the benefits of glycemic control while reducing the risks for hypoglycemia. Several preliminary studies indicate that extreme fluctuations in glucose (glucose variability) are associated with cellular dysfunction, heart rhythm abnormalities and death, even if more conventional assessments of “average” glucose are acceptable.
Research initiatives include retrospective analysis of quality control measures as well as prospective studies, including the study of optimal methods of implementing insulin therapy in the hospital setting and the utility of continuous subcutaneous glucose monitoring technology.
Ongoing Clinical Research Trials
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is a national leader in conducting clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including diabetes. The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and the Diabetes and Metabolism Research Center conduct research for type 1 and type 2 diabetes both for NIH and industry sponsored studies.
The Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and the DMRC are currently enrolling in the following clinical trials. Each study has specific requirements for enrollment.
Dr. Kathleen Wyne’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Primary Hypothyroidism
Please contact Lindsey Aldrich, (614) 814-0772 | lindsey.aldrich@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Kathleen Wyne’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Hypoparathyroidism
Please contact Maryam Aziz Bhatti, (614) 814-0821 | Maryam.bhatti@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Kathleen Wyne’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Stage 2, Type 1 Diabetes
Please contact Zack Lauderback, (614) 814-1055 | zackary.lauderback@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial
Dr. Billur Akkaya’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Type 1 Diabetes
Please contact Thaina Gatti, (614) 814-0822 | thaina.gatti@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Raj Shah’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Type 2 Diabetes
Please contact Thaina Gatti, (614) 814-0822 | thaina.gatti@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Luma Ghalib’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Acromegaly
Please contact Hangil Kim, (614) 814-0809 | hangil.kim@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Steven Ing’s Clinical Trial for Participants with Hypophosphatasia
Please contact Zack Lauderback, (614) 814-1055 | zackary.lauderback@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Steven Ing’s Clinical Trial for Participants Aged 50+ Osteoporosis with Fragility Fractures
Please contact Rece Foss, (614) 685-3089 | rece.foss@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Elizabeth Buschur’s Trial for Participants with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Please contact the DECIDE Trial Team, DECIDE@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial
Dr. Elizabeth Buschur’s Trial for Pregnant Participants with Type 2 Diabetes
Please contact the Achieve Trial Team, achievestudy@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial
Dr. Elizabeth Buschur’s Trial for Pregnant Participants with Type 1 Diabetes
Please contact the PRAM Trial Team, (614) 668-3393 | osupramstudy@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
Dr. Elizabeht Buschur’s Trial for Participants with Prenatal and Obstetric Maternal Exposures and Islet Autoantibodies in Early Life
Please contact the PROMISE Trial Team, OSUPROMISE_@osumc.edu, regarding participation in the clinical trial.
For general information on future clinical trial participation, please contact Aleitha Gates, (614) 813-0771 | aleitha.gates@osumc.edu.