How Abnormal Function of Fat Tissue in Type 1 Diabetes Contributes to Fat in the Liver

Launched by UNIVERSITÉ DE SHERBROOKE · Aug 13, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how fat tissue works differently in people with type 1 diabetes and how this might lead to extra fat building up in the liver. This condition, called Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD), happens when too much fat gets stored in the liver, which can increase the risk of heart, kidney, and eye problems. While MASLD is more common in people with type 2 diabetes and belly fat, this study focuses on people with type 1 diabetes who also have abdominal obesity, to better understand why this happens and how it affects their health.

The study is seeking two groups of people: 16 individuals who have type 1 diabetes with abdominal obesity and are using insulin pumps with continuous blood sugar monitoring, and 16 people without diabetes who have similar age, sex, and waist size for comparison. To join, participants should not have serious heart, liver, or kidney diseases, and must be able to safely undergo MRI scans. People who smoke heavily, drink a lot of alcohol, or have allergies to eggs cannot take part. Although the study hasn’t started recruiting yet, those who participate can expect careful monitoring of their fat tissue and liver health to help researchers find better ways to manage or prevent liver problems linked to type 1 diabetes.

Gender

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Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 16 individuals living with T1D and abdominal obesity, as defined by the International Diabetes Federation country/ethnic group-specific criteria (https://www.idf.org/e-library/consensus-statements/60- \[1\]. Treatment for T1D will be intensive insulin therapy on continuous pump perfusion with continuous glucose monitoring.
• • 16 individuals with normoglycemia (i.e., HbA1c below 6.0%) matched for sex, age (± 5 years), waist circumference (± 3 cm), and menopausal status.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • less than 70% of time in glycemic range (for T1D);
• • history of primary dyslipidemia (LDL-cholesterol over 5 mmol/L or TG over 10 mmol/L) or uncontrolled high blood pressure (over 160/100 mmHg) precluding the withdrawal of lipid lowering and anti-hypertensive agents as per protocol;
• • presence of overt cardiovascular, liver or renal disease (except microalbuminuria without reduced kidney function), or other uncontrolled medical conditions;
• • use of any medication other than insulin that may affect lipid or carbohydrate metabolism and that cannot be stopped prior to testing;
• • current or planned pregnancy within the next 6 months;
• • any contraindication to MRI.
• • Being allergic to eggs
• • Smoking (\>1 cigarette/day) and/or consumption of \>2 alcoholic beverages per day
• • Having participated to a research study with exposure to radiation in the last year before the start of the study