Sunday, December 21, 2025 12/21/2025

Ceramides and Sphingolipids as Predictors of Incident Dysglycemia

Award Number: R01DK128129
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2026

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Ceramides and Sphingolipids as Predictors of Incident Dysglycemia - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder responsible for a number of debilitating complications such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, and cardiovascular diseases. Bioactive lipids like sphingolipids (SPLs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of T2D, and recent studies specifically link ceramides (Cers) with the pathophysiology of obesity and T2D. We hypothesize that Cers and other SPLs are critical modulators of pathophysiological processes driving the progression from normal glucose regulation (NGR), through prediabetes, to T2D and associated diabetic complications. We propose to use stored specimens from the Pathobiology of Prediabetes in a Biracial Cohort (POP-ABC) study of normoglycemic participants with parental history of T2D and the Diabetes Prevention Program/Diabetes Prevention Program Outcome Study (DPP/DPPOS) which followed participants already diagnosed with prediabetes for the development of T2D. We will enroll and analyze samples from 200 normoglycemic individuals with no family history of diabetes, which will serve as normative controls. In Specific Aim 1, we will analyze Cer and related SPLs (glycosyl ceramides, sphingomyelins and long-chain sphingoid bases) from plasma samples of normoglycemic participants with no family history of diabetes and two cohorts from the POP-ABC study: normoglycemic participants who developed prediabetes (progressors) and who did not develop prediabetes (non-progressors), each at base line and at 5 years follow-up. We expect to determine a novel association of Cer burden with prediabetes and family history. In Specific Aim 2, like Aim 1, we will perform a comprehensive profiling of Cer and SPLs DPP/DPPOS samples longitudinally at baseline, at 2 year DPP and at 11 year DPPOS from participants who were randomized to ‘placebo’ group (no intervention). We will compare prediabetic participants who progressed to T2D with participants who had not progress to T2D by year 11 in DPPOS. In Specific Aim 3, we will evaluate SPL signatures in relation to the efficacy of interventions that reverse prediabetes and those that prevent T2D. Using three different groups from the POP-ABC and DPP/DPPOS studies, we will analyze Cer and SPLs levels as predictors of incident prediabetes and T2D during longitudinal follow-up of well-defined subgroups of participants. Our results will enable us to determine whether Cer and SPLs modulate the impact and magnitude of the interventions on glycemic outcome. In Specific Aim 4, we will analyze existing DPP/DPPOS data in a case- control design, to determine associations between Cers and microvascular and macrovascular complications of diabetes. Overall, results of the studies proposed here will advance our understanding of the role of Cers in the pathophysiology of prediabetes, diabetes and related complications. Further, our planned lipidomics analyses are designed to facilitate the discovery of novel predictive, prognostic and specific biomarkers for prediabetes, T2D, and vascular complications.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2025	2024	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	4	2/21/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $438,755 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	001	4	5/7/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$27,423
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	4	3/4/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$411,332
														Subtotal = $438,755

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $505,964 )
2023	2023	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP ST	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	3	3/15/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$505,964
														Subtotal = $505,964

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $504,642 )
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP STREET STE 103	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	001	2	3/24/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$50,466
2022	2022	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP STREET STE 103	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	2	2/23/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$454,176
														Subtotal = $504,642

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $530,534 )
2021	2021	UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE	62 S DUNLAP STREET STE 103	MEMPHIS	TN	38103	SHELBY	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	3/1/2021	NEW	$530,534
														Subtotal = $530,534

Grand Total All Awards = $1,979,895

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Ceramides and Sphingolipids as Predictors of Incident Dysglycemia

Award Number: R01DK128129

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 03/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 02/28/2026

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer