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leaD researcher
Álvarez Escola, Carmen
Universidad Complutense de madrid
Facultad de Farmacia Ciudad Universitaria, S/n 28040 Madrid
(+34) 91 394 18 57 [email protected] group Website
gROUP MEMBERS
Staff members: Fernández Millán, Elisa
Associated members: Escrivá Pons, Fernando | Lizarraga Mollinedo, Esther | Martín Arribas, María Ángeles
Main lines of research
The identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that link poor perinatal growth with the increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the adulthood through the use of animal models of nutritional manipulation. To this end we have focused on:
• The search of new growth factors and mechanisms that regulate the development, growth and death of
pancreatic islet cells.
• The study of the effect of nutrients on glucagon and insulin production and release from pancreatic
alpha and beta cells, respectively.
• The potential role of incretins (GLP-1 and GIP) in the relationship between intrauterine growth
restriction and the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the adulthood.
• The impact of early undernutrition on hypothalamic sensitivity to insulin and leptin as well as on the
expression of orexigenic and anorexigenic factors (NPY, POMC).
• The study of gut microbiota composition as a new environmental factor involved in the development
of metabolic syndrome in perinatal growth restricted individuals: possible alteration of entero-adipo-
insular axis.
• The identification of natural compounds from food with favorable effects against diseases associated
with oxidative stress and inflammation such as type 2 diabetes and the characterization of the specific mechanisms of action involved in their health benefits.
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