Research & Discoveries
Glucagon Signaling in Aging and Healthspan
Obesity and type 2 diabetes accelerate aging, shortening the duration of healthspan. Conversely, chronic calorie restriction extends healthspan.
Glucagon Signaling in Obesity
and Type 2 Diabetes
Insulin resistance and elevated insulin are key to the metabolic disturbances in type II diabetes mellitus. Yet, elevated glucagon, common to diabetes, may be equally important in the metabolic abnormalities in diabetes. We have shown that nutritional state differentially affects glucagon secretion in obesity. In turn, the glucagon:insulin ratio is dysregulated in obesity. Current Stern lab research aims to understand the metabolic consequences of a dysregulated glucagon response to fasting and re-feeding.
Obesity-Driven Liver Cancer
Obesity is the leading cause of multiple solid cancers. In particular, the risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is more than doubled in obese people with Type II diabetes. To identify new drug targets to treat HCC, the Stern lab applies a chemical model of accelerated hepatocellular carcinoma. We use this to examine the effects of hepatic lipid accumulation and dysregulated glucoregulatory hormone signaling on HCC development and progression.