Michael Freemark
Professor, Pediatrics
Michael Freemark
Professor, Pediatrics
The primary objective of my basic research is to elucidate the roles of fetal and placental hormones in the regulation of maternal metabolism and fetal growth. My work has focused on the lactogenic hormones produced by the pituitary gland and placenta. In recent studies we have explored the molecular mechanisms by which prolactin and placental lactogen regulate pancreatic insulin production and control lipid metabolism during pregnancy and postnatal life.
I also have a clinical research interest in the pathogenesis and treatment of obesity and hyperlipidemia and the prevention of type 2 diabetes. Recent studies show that the drug metformin reduces fat stores and blood glucose and insulin levels in obese adolescents and may reduce the risk of progression to diabetes in selected patients. Finally, we are exploring the clinical course of diabetic children with celiac disease, an common intestinal disorder that affects nutrient absorption.
Publications
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Hendrix G, Lokhnygina Y, Ramaker M, Ilkayeva O, Muehlbauer M, Evans W, et al. Catabolism of fats and branched-chain amino acids in children with Type 1 diabetes: Association with glycaemic control and total daily insulin dose. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2023 Nov;6(6):e448.Page L, Younge N, Freemark M. Hormonal Determinants of Growth and Weight Gain in the Human Fetus and Preterm Infant. Nutrients. 2023 Sep 18;15(18).Richer LP, Tan Q, Butler MG, Avedzi HM, DeLorey DS, Peng Y, et al. Evaluation of Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction in Childhood Obesity and Prader-Willi Syndrome. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Apr 28;24(9).Gumus Balikcioglu P, Jachthuber Trub C, Balikcioglu M, Ilkayeva O, White PJ, Muehlbauer M, et al. Branched-chain α-keto acids and glutamate/glutamine: Biomarkers of insulin resistance in childhood obesity. Endocrinol Diabetes Metab. 2023 Jan;6(1):e388.
See more publications at Scholars@Duke