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The Food/Gastrointestinal (GI)-tract research theme

Main hypothesis:
Hormonal and neuronal “signals” from the GI-tract – the gut - are central in controlling appetite, food intake and metabolism in general. These ‘signals’ are controlled by the intestinal ‘sensing’ of nutrients and food components, influenced by gut microbiota. Stimulation or mimicking of these signals can be used in the treatment and prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes.

State of the art
Intestinal hormones are known to be involved in the regulation of appetite and blood glucose levels. One of these hormones, GLP-1, was  identified as a drug target, now successfully implemented by the development of the GLP-1 analogue Liraglutide.

Gastric bypass operation provides rapid “cure” of Type 2 diabetes independent of the substantial and sustained weight loss. This effect is hypothesized to be caused by altered hormonal signals from the GI-tract.

This part of the UNIK is about
Applying GI-tract endocrinology and ‘omics to human clinical studies and novel animal models of bariatric surgery.

Refining animal models to study relationships between nutrients / GI tract contents and entero-endocrine signals along the GI tract.

Addressing the relationship between food components, nutrients, and gut microbiotics and the GI signals - with the aim to identify novel components of this system.

Characterize novel components in GI-tract signaling by proteomics, metabolomics and
transcriptomics across the clinical and animal research models.

This part of the UNIK is expected to lead to lead to the identification of
The ‘cocktail’ of hormones and other signals and sensors involved in appetite regulation and responsible for the ‘cure’ of T2D and the persisting weight reduction following bariatric surgery.

Mechanisms behind these effects, including changes in insulin sensitivity, metabolic functions and appetite regulation.

The effect of specific food components and structural features of food on GI signals

The effect of altering gut microbiota on systemic, low-grade inflammation, insulin
sensitivity and secretion in obese and Type 2 diabetics.

Impact / Implementation

New and efficient drugs for preventing and treating obesity and type 2 diabetes

New regimes for dietary recommendations and for production of healthy /functional foods