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The research group ‘Energy metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus’ (head: Prof. HP Sauerwein) aims to advance the care and treatment of patients with metabolic and endocrine diseases by innovative research on the endocrine regulation of metabolism in chronically ill patients with emphasis on diabetes mellitus.

In pursuit of this goal our Research Program:

• Brings together the research and clinical expertise of groups investigating a wide range of metabolic and endocrine disorders at the Academic Medical Center of the University of Amsterdam
• Advances laboratory strategies in humans to monitor metabolism in vivo using stable isotopes. We focus in particular on the role of FFA and oxidative stress in the induction of (hepatic/muscle) insulin resistance, the role of different metabolites (especially palmitate) in glucose kinetics, the role of changes in glutathione kinetics and the role of the different amino acids in maintaining protein balance in chronically ill patients.
• Integrates kinetic studies in vivo with molecular and biochemical data obtained in vitro via muscle and adipose tissue biopsies to unravel the pathophysiology of carbohydrate and fat metabolism
• Aims to advance our understanding of the neuroendocrine regulation of metabolism. In particular, the balance between neural (autonomic innervation) and humoral (adipokines, hormones, cytokines) regulation of endocrine and metabolic organs will be explored in the coming years