Mclaughlin Lab

Welcome to the McLaughlin Lab for Clinical and Translational Metabolic Research at Stanford University

Metabolic health lives at the intersection of physiology, genetics and lifestyle. We are interested in the role of adipocyte physiology in the development of insulin resistance, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity, as well as how diet and medications relate to these effects. We are leveraging our clinical and basic science knowledge to design thoughtful clinical studies that will ultimately improve human metabolic health.

Currently, our interests center around the use of continuous glucose monitoring and multi-omics methods to define metabolic phenotypes and precision diets for individuals with pre-diabetes and Type 2 Diabetes. We are also interested in the role of incretin hormones in glucose metabolism and Post-Bariatric and Post-Total Gastrectomy Hypoglycemia.

We are currently enrolling participants for the following studies:

NIH Study

We are evaluating precision medicine for early stage prediabetes/type 2 diabetes that entails full metabolic phenotyping (muscle insulin resistance, B-cell failure, incretin deficiency, liver and/or adipocyte insulin resistance, and imaging for regional fat deposition including visceral, subcutaneous, hepatic, and pancreatic fat, and an option to try tirzepatide, empagliflozin, pioglitazone, and metformin to see which works best for each individual and if it relates to the metabolic phenotype. We welcome both normal and overweight individuals with diabetes/prediabetes, and also that we accept healthy normal weight controls who are interested in learning about their metabolism.  All participants will have the option to participate in our cutting edge continuous glucose monitoring studies.

ADA (American Diabetes Association) Study

We are seeking individuals who have been diagnosed with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, as well as healthy, normal-weight volunteers interested in learning more about their metabolic health. The study examines two drug interventions, pioglitazone and tirepatide, in their effects as drug-directed therapies for normal weight pre-diabetes and diabetic patients.

Mitigator Study

In the CGM (Continuous Glucose Monitor) Study, we are evaluating the molecular basis for how specific foods do or do not cause glucose spikes and how to flatten spikes by preloading with “mitigators” or by following food with aerobic vs isometric exercise. Explore the results from past projects related to this study.

PBH (Post-Barriatric Hypoglycemia) Study

The PBH study in which we are evaluating the role of rapid gastric emptying and therapeutic potential of medications that slow it (e.g., semaglutide, tirzepatide, others)  in patients experiencing hypoglycemia following RYGB and sleeve gastrectomy, as well as other upper GI surgeries like Nissen fundoplication, total gastrectomy, esophagectomy.

Testing

Participants will undergo comprehensive, gold-standard metabolic testing conducted by the McLaughlin Lab. These evaluations provide detailed insight into insulin resistance, beta-cell function, incretin hormone health, and overall metabolic function. The study also includes advanced body composition analysis using a DXA scan for body composition and MRI imaging to assess liver fat and abdominal adipose tissue. 

If you are interested, complete the survey with the link in the description below the recruitment flyer. Any questions can be forwarded to Dr. McLaughlin's Clinical Research Coordinator directly at nshenoy8@stanford.edu. 

Thank you to all of our study funders: NIH, ADA, Recordati, Lilly, and Vogenyx.