Liver-Related Work

Dr. Dong focuses on studies of the molecular basis that links insulin resistance to diabetic dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in subjects with morbid obesity and type 2 diabetes. Insulin resistance is defined as a significantly diminished state of responsiveness of the body to normal plasma insulin concentrations. To overcome insulin resistance in peripheral tissue, the pancreatic beta cells are called upon to produce more insulin via a compensatory mechanism, which over time can lead to beta-cell failure and overt diabetes in human subjects with morbid obesity. Dr. Dong’s lab focuses on the characterization of genetic factors in glucose and lipid metabolism to understand how insulin resistance perturbs carbohydrate metabolism, contributing to the development of diabetic dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obesity and type 2 diabetes. These studies are expected to gain insight into the molecular events that link insulin resistance to metabolic abnormalities, providing a knowledge base for the development of small molecule drugs for better clinical management of diabetic dyslipidemia and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

NIH Report

View Dr. Dong’s NIH funding on NIH Reporter

View Dr. Dong’s publications on Pubmed.

Professor
Pediatric Endocrinology