Research team
Expertise
Continuous glucose monitoring among diabetics and non-diabetic patients. Body composition, fat distribution (visceral fat via CT-scan) and resting metabolic rate through indirect calorimetry. Identification of risk factors for atherosclerosis.
Liver and systemic haemodynamic alterations, noninvasive diagnostic markers and potential pathophysiological mechanisms for NAFLD and NASH: a large longitudinal cohort study.
Abstract
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), the accumulation of fat in the liver (steatosis) related to obesity and glucose disturbances, can lead to severe liver disease and is an important contributor to metabolic disease. Many patients are at risk. Accurate screening tools to diagnose NAFLD without the need for a liver biopsy are urgently warranted. By prospectively and thoroughly assessing the presence of liver disease in obese patients we recently developed scoring systems that accurately predict liver disease but that need further validation. Specific biomarkers will be searched for to enable physicians to select, out of the large numbers of patients with obesity and diabetes, those who need further, more invasive testing and treatment. Furthermore, we previously showed that severe steatosis leads to changes in liver blood flows. We will study the impact of these changes on the evolution of the disease and on the risk of complications in surgery for obesity. Analysis of blood samples obtained from the liver by a specific technical procedure will be performed to study the specific contribution of the liver to the health problems associated with obesity. Liver tissue samples will be examined to identify factors that contribute to disease. Finally, patients will be followed-up and re-examined after one year, in order to increase our understanding of the natural history of the disease, and to identify factors that not only predict disease severity but also its evolution.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Pelckmans Paul
- Co-promoter: Van Gaal Luc
- Fellow: Francque Sven
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Genetic analysis of five candidate genes in the pathogenesis of obesity.
Abstract
Obesity is a chronic condition characterized by an excess amount of adipose tissue which causes several health consequences. Numerous studies have shown that obesity is strongly influenced by genetic factors, with heritability estimates in the range of 80%. Although most of the results of GWASs have been highly reproducible, they explain merely 1.5% of the BMI variation in human populations. With this project we'll gain insight into the role of five candidate genes and we'll better understand the importance of copy number variation in the pathogenesis of obesity.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Hul Wim
- Co-promoter: Van Gaal Luc
- Fellow: Aerts Evi
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Endocrine-disrupting environmental chemicals: From accumulation to their role in the global "neuro-endocrine" epidemic of obesity and its metabolic consequences.
Abstract
It is recently hypothesised that the disturbance of weight homeostasis leading to obesity in humans might at least partially be influenced by endocrine disrupting chemicals. This study particularly investigates the accumulation and role of older and new emerging endocrine disrupting chemicals in the pandemic of the 21st century called obesity. The effects are studied at molecular, cellular and organism level using in vitro and in vivo approaches, analytical techniques, cell culture, genomics, genetics and epidemiological data in humans.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Jorens Philippe
- Co-promoter: Blust Ronny
- Co-promoter: Neels Hugo
- Co-promoter: Van Gaal Luc
- Co-promoter: Van Hul Wim
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Beta cell function in (pre)type 1 diabetes.
Abstract
This study will establish criteria indicating short-term loss of beta cell mass and therefore accelerated progression towards type 1 diabetes. These criteria may help to determine the time point and type of prevention, may contribute to the composition of homogeneous groups of study subjects (based on residual beta cell mass, homogeneous risk of beta cell destruction during intervention) and may lead to the identification of functional markers that could be used as surrogate endpoints. This may reduce the number of subjects needed to treat as well as the follow-up time necessary to study significant effects of the test substance.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
HEPADIP - Hepatic and adipose tissue and functions in the metabolic syndrome.
Abstract
The Metabolic Syndrome is a major risk marker for type 2 diabetes and for cardiovascular disease. Recent evidence suggests a crucial role for fat accumulation in the liver in the development of the Metabolic Syndrome. The hypothesis of the HEPADIP project is that this reflects an alteration in metabolic relationships or the signalling between adipose tissue and liver. The objectives of the project are therefore to address the role of adipose tissue and the liver, and the interaction between them, in the development of the disturbances of lipid metabolism, insulin signalling, and glucose homeostasis in the Metabolic Syndrome in order to identify, validate and develop novel targets for diagnosis, characterization, prevention and treatment of the syndrome.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Evaluation of the role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated co-morbidity.
Abstract
To reach our goals, this research projects consists of three parts. First, we will try to gain insight into the level of inflammation in patients both by biochemical tests and by the study of fat tissue. Next, genetic studies will be performed to identify susceptibility genes for obesity. Obviously in this project, we will focus on genes that might influence inflammation. Finally, we will try to find association between both biochemical, histological and genetic data and clinical endpoints.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
- Co-promoter: Van Hul Wim
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Prediction of type 1 diabetes by combination of biological, demographic and anthropometric data.
Atherogenicity of the postprandial state in diabetes mellitus: study on the interactions between lipids, antioxidants and monocytes.
Abstract
The increased risk of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus cannot be totally reversed by the treatment of classical risk factors such as for example high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity and smoking. Recent reports on the higher predictive value of blood glucose and triglycerides after meals suggest that important proatherogenic processes can occur during the postprandial state. In this project we will focus on the interactions between postprandial lipids, monocytes and vitamin E. The ultimate aim is to set up clear guidelines on optimal intakes of lipids and antioxidants and thus to restrict cardiovascular risk.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Manuel Y Keenoy Begona
- Co-promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Genetic analyses of candidate genes for visceral obesity and associated comorbidity.
Abstract
Visceral abdominal obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and for the development of type 2 diabetes. Since abdominal fat accumulation is partly genetically determined, we will perform mutation analyses, association and linkage studies of polymorphisms in candidate genes for obesity, in order to identify genes which are possibly involved in the development of abdominal obesity and associated comorbidity.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
- Co-promoter: Van Hul Wim
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Allowance for research equipment : fluorimeter.
Abstract
This fluorimeter can be used to monitor lipid peroxidation both in biochemical (lipid fractions) as well as in cellular models, to study the role of intracellular iron on cellular functions, such as adhesion. In this way, it can contribute towards the detection of the pathobiochemical processes responsible for diabetic complications.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Prevention of betacelldestruction in type 1 diabetic patients and their high-risk relatives.
Abstract
a) Administration of monoclonal anti-CD-3 antibodies (ChAgly CD3) in newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetic patients in order to inhibit the further destruction of beta-cells and preserve the endogenous insulin production. b) Prophylactic SC insulin administration in high-risk relatives of type 1 diabetic patients in order to prevent or postpone the clinical manifestation of the disease.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: De Leeuw Ivo
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
General knowledge and support for patients who suffer diabetes.
Abstract
Information, both medical and social, about diabetes is an important element in prevention and early diagnosis of this disease. First approach is to publish a book (Dutch) written by experts in normal language for a larger audience. For specific questions we try to install a telephone service.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Anthroprometric, biologic and cytogenetic markers and determinants of cardiovascular disease in non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Abstract
A lot of information about non-insulin dependent diabetes is still missing in regard to factors and parameters that can predict to early atherosclerotic features in obese and non-obese NIDDM. Questions : (1) are there other factors than age, sex, duration of diabetes that contribute to coronary ischemic heart disease (2) is the exact amount of visceral fat a determinant factor (3) is there a relationship between biological factors and visceral fat (4) are genetic markers important determinants (5) is there a gender difference.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Gaal Luc
Research team(s)
Project type(s)
- Research Project