Description

We aim to identify novel interventions for prevention and treatment of diabetes-related cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our strategy is to identify genetic, endocrine and metabolic disturbances in humans which are causally related to disease development and are detectable many years before disease presents. We then test in both animals and in human intervention studies if manipulation of such molecular disturbances ameliorate cardiometabolic risk. A few examples of our translational research achievements include discovery of: (1) CVD genetic risk variants which identify “hidden high-risk individuals” in the population and specific pharmacological and life-style treatments which can revert that genetic risk, (2) neurotensin as a key hormone linking hyper-efficient intestinal fat absorption and storage to obesity, diabetes and CVD development and (3) high vasopressin secretion as a cause of diabetes and CVD and the potential of increased water intake to revert the risk.