General research profile
Our research is focused on the pathogenesis of insulin resistance In subjects at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The study groups include subjects with positive family history of type 2 diabetes, subjects with overweight or obesity with normal or impaired glucose tolerance.
In the study groups, we perform hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp for the measurement of measurement of insulin sensitivity in vivo and indirect calorimetry for the measurement of glucose and lipid oxidation. We also perform isolation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the biopsies of subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue and vastus lateralis muscle, with a subsequent analysis of tissue gene expression with Real time PCR and protein expression with Western blot. We conduct skeletal muscle and adipocyte cell cultures, both primary cells and myoblast and preadipocytes cell lines.
Previously, we conducted interventional study, with the aim to assess the effect of low-calorie diet on insulin sensitivity and subcutaneous adipose tissue gene expression in obese subjects. Currently, we are conducting the project with the aim to analyze the role of the genes associated with intracellular Ca2+ flux in the regulation of muscle contractility, insulin sensitivity and the metabolic response to regular physical exercise. In this project, we conduct both interventional study in volunteers (12-week exercise training program) and experimental study with muscle cell cultures, gene silencing and electric pulse stimulation of developed myotubes.
