Obesity and the Digestive System
David A. D’Alessio, MD
Professor and Division Director; Albert Vontz Chair in Diabetes Research
Department of Internal Medicine; Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Description of Research
The regulation of insulin secretion following nutrient ingestion is complex and critical to the maintenance of normal glucose homeostasis. Signals from the gastrointestinal tract play a key role in postprandial insulin secretion and considerable effort has been focused on intestinal hormones to mediate these effects. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) is released from specialized intestinal mucosal endocrine cells following meal ingestion. Dr. D’Alessio’s studies address the roles of GLP-1 on glucose tolerance by regulating gastric function, food intake and hepatic glucose production. Dr. D’Alessio also participates in the University of Cincinnati Obesity Center studying the effects of dietary fat on body weight regulation and metabolism using a rat model of diet induced obesity. He has completed two clinical trials comparing low-fat versus low-carbohydrate diets on body weight and cardiovascular risk factors in humans.
Collaborations and Core Use
Dr. D’Alessio has collaborative studies with Drs. Seeley, Tso and Woods studying GLP-1 signaling and gut-brain crosstalk in the regulation of dietary obesity. Anticipated Core use: Gene and Protein Expression and Integrative Morphology Cores.
