In vivo estimation of gluconeogenesis
PhD ceremony: Mr. S.K. Chacko, 11.00 uur, Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen
Title: In vivo estimation of gluconeogenesis
Promotor(s): prof. P.J.J. Sauer, prof. A.L. Sunehag
Faculty: Medical Sciences
Detailed knowledge about glucose kinetics is crucial to understand metabolic diseases and to optimize nutritional strategies. As a part of this thesis, we developed a simple, accurate and reproducible method based on mass spectroscopy to estimate in vivo rates of gluconeogenesis in different populations under various conditions to address a variety of metabolic issues.
The estimation of gluconeogenesis using the newly developed method enabled us to determine that gluconeogenesis accounts for the major part of glucose production and is an ongoing process in preterm infants even when glucose is supplied at rates exceeding their normal glucose turnover rate. We also reported that the incomplete suppression of glucose production observed in preterm infants is primarily due to the contribution from gluconeogenesis. Further, our investigations determined that gluconeogenesis is not acutely regulated by either insulin or glucose concentrations in very preterm infants receiving total parenteral nutrition.
These findings are crucial to optimize nutritional strategies in premature infants. The results suggest that supplying glucose at rates corresponding to normal infant glucose turnover rate (in addition to glucose produced via gluconeogenesis utilizing the supplied gluconegenic substrates via TPN) is a potential strategy to prevent hypo/hyperglycemia in infants during their early days of life.
In this thesis we also reported that the extra glucose demands of lactation during the extended periods of fasting in lactating women are met by increasing gluconeogenesis. Further investigations of this thesis using a mice model determined that ghrelin plays a role in the regulation of gluconeogenesis/glycogenolysis and that the absence of ghrelin action has a beneficial outcome on glucose metabolism.
Last modified: | 13 March 2020 01.10 a.m. |
More news
-
29 April 2024
Tactile sensors
Every two weeks, UG Makers puts the spotlight on a researcher who has created something tangible, ranging from homemade measuring equipment for academic research to small or larger products that can change our daily lives. That is how UG...
-
29 April 2024
Royal Decoration awarded to Gerard van den Berg
The Faculty of Economics and Business is very proud to announce that Professor Gerard van den Berg has been appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. The decoration was presented to him by Mayor Koen Schuiling of the Municipality of...
-
18 April 2024
PET-scan expert Jan Pruim benoemd tot Officier in Orde van Oranje Nassau
Hoogleraar medische beeldvorming Jan Pruim is bij zijn afscheid van het UMCG benoemd tot Officier in de Orde van Oranje Nassau. De koninklijke versierselen werden hem op woensdag 17 april uitgereikt door burgemeester Koen Schuiling van de gemeente...