Redox Imbalance and the Development of Cystic Fibrosis Diabetes
Status:
Recruiting
Trial end date:
0000-00-00
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD) occurs in almost 20% of teens and 50% of adults. The
investigators' long term goal is to determine the cause of CFRD in order to translate this
knowledge into therapies aimed at preventing CFRD. Since CFRD and type 2 diabetes share
several clinical features and since oxidative stress is a key factor in the development of
type 2 diabetes, the investigators explored the role of oxidative stress in CFRD. The
investigators discovered a unique CF biochemical signature that they believe could be
implicated in the development of CFRD. The investigators found that glucose ingestion in CF
teens and young adults causes an acute and profound systemic redox imbalance to the
oxidizing state. The degree of redox imbalance was quite severe and would be expected to
damage the insulin producing cells as these cells are particularly vulnerable to oxidative
stress. Thus, these findings could prove to be a critical factor in the pathogenesis of
CFRD. This proposal will test the hypothesis that glucose-induced redox imbalance is an
intrinsic, metabolic defect in CF. In addition, because CF people are required to consume a
high calorie diet to maintain their weight, the investigators also hypothesize that certain
high caloric foods will recapitulate the redox imbalance induced by ingesting glucose and
thus hasten the development of CFRD. Specifically, the investigators aim to:
- Determine whether young children with CF have glucose-induced redox imbalance
- Determine whether eating a meal with a high glycemic index induces acute redox
imbalance