Holst Group - Translational Metabolic Physiology

In our group, laboratory experiments can be translated into effective clinical studies in order to understand the functional challenges of obesity and diabetes, and to provide new principles for improved therapy of these conditions.

The group focuses on the following research areas:

The role of pancreatic and intestinal hormones in bone physiology

Focuses on pancreatic and intestinal hormones and their role in intestinal and bone physiology. This includes both animal (mice, rat and pig) studies as well as human studies (gastric bypass patients, diabetic patients and healthy controls). In addition, we are continuously working on assay development to improve our unique spectrum of assays for measuring gastrointestinal hormones.

For further information regarding the role of pancreatic and intestinal hormones in bone physiology, please contact Bolette Hartmann.

Metabolism and physiology of enteroendocrine hormones

Focusses on the degradation and metabolism of the entero-pancreatic hormones (GLP-1, GLP-2, GIP, PYY, glucagon), the physiology and pathophysiology of the incretin hormones, and the therapeutic applications of the incretin hormones, GLP-1 analogues and DPP-4 inhibitors in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

For further information regarding metabolism and physiology of enteroendocrine hormones, please contact Jens Juul Holst

Intergration of the gut in human glucose metabolism and its role in diabetes and obesity

Centers on the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes (with focus on glucagon and the gut-derived incretin hormones), obesity, regulation of appetite and food intake and utilization of incretins as therapeutics. Integration of the gut (including enteroendocrinology, microflora and bile acid biology) in the understanding of human glucose metabolism and its role in type 2 diabetic pathophysiology is our main focus.

Major research goals are centered around the hormones Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 (GLP-1), which was discovered in our laboratory and has been studied extensively by the Section (analogues are now available for diabetes therapy, and are currently being evaluated for obesity treatment); Glucagon-like peptide-2, a regulator of intestinal growth and function as well as bone metabolism (also discovered in our lab, and recently approved for treatment of short-bowel syndrome); Glucose dependent Insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), a regulator of insulin secretion and fat deposition; PYY (a powerful inhibitor of food intake); neurotensin (another appetite suppressant); and glucagon.

Other major goals are elucidation of the beneficial effects of gastric bypass surgery on both diabetes and obesity, and understanding the mechanisms at the organ, cellular and molecular level that cause exaggerated secretion of the gut hormones after bypass surgery with a view to reproduce this in future therapeutic strategies.