Diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism research

Metabolic diseases include common conditions such as obesity, diabetes and various hormonal conditions. With nearly a quarter of all adults and one in five children in the UK currently classed as obese, and around 4.7million people in the UK living with diabetes, metabolic diseases are responsible for some of the most pressing public health issues of our time, having significant and detrimental effect on health and quality of life.

In partnership with the University of Hull and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Hull York Medical School is at the cutting edge of diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism research - pioneering research to understand better and develop treatment options and cures for these conditions as well as supporting those living with them.

In 2022, the team was awarded the prestigious title of Best Patient Experience at the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Clinical Research Network awards for Yorkshire and Humber.

Our clinical and academic researchers have expertise in diabetes, obesity, cardiometabolic diseases and various hormonal illnesses. We deliver world-class research and innovation mainly in four areas: clinical drugs/devices trials, epidemiological research, lifestyle research and applied research. We specialise in type 1 and 2 diabetes, obesity, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, metabolic bone health, cardiometabolic disease, and dietetics and nutrition research.

Members

Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan is the academic lead for diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism research within the Centre.

Please see our people in the Clinical Sciences Centre for members of the diabetes, endocrinology and metabolism research theme.

In collaboration with Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, our experts include senior clinical academics, consultant endocrinologists, clinical research fellows, specialist trainees, research nurses, diabetes and endocrinology specialist nurses, specialist dieticians, laboratory technicians, DXA technicians, administrative and support staff and a research unit manager.

Facilities

We have state of the art, purpose-built research facilities at the Allam Diabetes Centre, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, including body imaging and DXA scanning to measure bone mineral density and body composition, dedicated laboratories, a sports science laboratory, ultrasound and access to a large pool of patients interested in clinical research.

Collaborations

We also collaborate with experts within the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Hull, including the Departments of Biomedical Sciences; Sport, Health and Exercise Science; Psychological Health, Wellbeing and Social Work; as well as the Hull Health Trials Unit, and the Institute for Clinical and Applied Health Research. We also have close links with the clinical departments in the NHS and to industry, in addition to various national and international collaborators.

Research highlights

Effect of soy on testosterone levels in patients with type 2 diabetes

Funded by: Food Standards Agency, UK (£530,136)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

The study looked into the effects of soy on testosterone levels and diabetes control in men with type 2 diabetes. There was a significant improvement in diabetes with active ingredients of soy.

Outputs

Sathyapalan T, Rigby AS, Bhasin S, Thatcher NJ, Kilpatrick ES, Atkin SL. Effect of Soy in Men With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Subclinical Hypogonadism: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. Feb 1 2017;102(2):425-433. doi:10.1210/jc.2016-2875

Sathyapalan T, Aye M, Rigby AS, Fraser WD, Kilpatrick ES, Atkin SL. Effect of soy on bone turnover markers in men with type 2 diabetes and hypogonadism - a randomised controlled study. Sci Rep. Nov 13 2017;7(1):15366. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-15402-9

Semaglutide effects on cardiovascular outcomes in people with overweight or obesity

Funded by: Novo Nordisk (£234,057.94)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This study will assess if semaglutide may reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with overweight or obesity and prior cardiovascular disease. The participant will either get semaglutide (functional medicine) or a placebo ("dummy" medicine). Which treatment the participants get is decided by chance. Therefore, the participant's chance of getting semaglutide or a placebo is the same. The participant will get the study medicine in a pen. The participants will need to use the pen to inject the study medicine in a skinfold once a week. The study will last for approximately 2.5 to 5 years.

Experimental study of deoxynivalenol biomarkers in urine

Funded by: European Food Safety Authority (£72,650)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is one of the most commonly occurring chemicals, produced mainly by a fungus (Fusarium graminearum). The project aimed to provide data on levels of total DON and its metabolites in human urine samples collected from different population groups (children, adolescents, adults, elderly, vegetarians, pregnant women) in Italy, Norway and the United Kingdom (UK). The DON levels were similar between Italy and Norway populations but were approximately 3-fold higher in the sampled UK population. In addition, in Norway and the UK, levels of DON were roughly 2.5-fold higher in children compared with adults.

Outputs

Papageorgiou M, Wells L, Williams C, et al. Occurrence of deoxynivalenol in an elderly cohort in the UK: a biomonitoring approach. Food Addit Contam Part A Chem Anal Control Expo Risk Assess. Oct 2018;35(10):2032-2044. doi:10.1080/19440049.2018.1508890

Papageorgiou M, Wells L, Williams C, et al. Assessment of Urinary Deoxynivalenol Biomarkers in UK Children and Adolescents. Toxins (Basel). Jan 23, 2018;10(2) doi:10.3390/toxins10020050

Wells L, Hardie L, Williams C, et al. Deoxynivalenol Biomarkers in the Urine of UK Vegetarians. Toxins (Basel). Jun 22, 2017;9(7) doi:10.3390/toxins9070196

Wells L, Hardie L, Williams C, et al. Determination of Deoxynivalenol in the Urine of Pregnant Women in the UK. Toxins (Basel). Oct 25, 2016;8(11) doi:10.3390/toxins8110306

Semaglutide cardiovascular outcomes trial in patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Funded by: Novo Nordisk (£207,401.88)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This study is to determine whether type 2 diabetes medicine, semaglutide, has a positive effect on heart disease. Participants will either get semaglutide tablets or placebo tablets ("dummy" medicine) - which treatment is decided by chance. Participants must take one tablet with water every morning on an empty stomach and not eat or drink anything for at least 30 minutes.

Toxicodynamics of Dioxins in an obese population

Funded by: Food Standards Agency, UK (£619,842)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This study looked into the changes in levels of various chemicals in blood and fat before and after weight-loss surgery.

Outputs

Deshmukh H, Aylward LL, Rose M, et al. Association of endocrine active environmental compounds with body mass index and weight loss following bariatric surgery. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). May 21, 2020; doi:10.1111/cen.14257

A double-blind placebo-controlled parallel trial of soy protein with and isoflavones on markers of bone turnover in females in the early menopause. (2010-16) Food Standards Agency, UK

Funded by: Food Standards Agency, UK (£481,902)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This study looked into the effects of soy on bones in women going through menopause. Soy improved bone quality markers and cardiometabolic risk markers in this group of women.

Outputs

Sathyapalan T, Aye M, Rigby AS, et al. Soy isoflavones improve cardiovascular disease risk markers in women during the early menopause. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. Jul 2018;28(7):691-697. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2018.03.00

Sathyapalan T, Aye M, Rigby AS, et al. Soy Reduces Bone Turnover Markers in Women During Early Menopause: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Bone Miner Res. Jan 2017;32(1):157-164. doi:10.1002/jbmr.2927

A trial of soy phytoestrogens in patients with compensated hypothyroidism. Food Standards Agency, UK

Funded by: Food Standards Agency, UK (£165,797)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This study looked into the effects of active ingredients of soy in patients with a borderline underactive thyroid. There was an improvement in various cardiometabolic markers, but some patients developed underactive thyroid.

Outputs

Sathyapalan T, Manuchehri AM, Thatcher NJ, et al. The effect of soy phytoestrogen supplementation on thyroid status and cardiovascular risk markers in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism: a randomised, double-blind, crossover study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. May 2011;96(5):1442-9. doi:10.1210/jc.2010-2255

Sathyapalan T, Javed Z, Rigby AS, Kilpatrick ES, Atkin SL. Soy Protein Improves Cardiovascular Risk in Subclinical Hypothyroidism: A Randomised Double-Blinded Crossover Study. J Endocr Soc. May 1 2017;1(5):423-430. doi:10.1210/js.2016-1068

Hull Hip Fracture Intervention and Prevention Programme

Funded by: OSPREY (£50,000)

PI: Dr Mo Aye, Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Professor Liz Walker

Perspectives of patients who had hip fractures and health care professionals involved in their care.

Living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Funded by: British Dietetic Association (£16,090)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This research aims to understand the perspectives of women with PCOS and develop an educational programme for women living with PCOS.

Service users' perspective on the transition from children to adult Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Services within Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire

Funded by: Clinical Commissioning Group (£18,400)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan, Professor Liz Walker

This study is looking into the perspective of children with type 1 diabetes when their care is transferred to adult diabetes services.

PIONEER 5 - Renal impairment: Efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide versus placebo in subjects with Type 2 Diabetes and moderate renal impairment

Funded by: Novo Nordisk (£39,531)

PI: Professor Thozhukat Sathyapalan

This trial investigates the efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide versus placebo in subjects with type 2 diabetes and moderate renal impairment.

Outputs

Mosenzon O, Blicher TM, Rosenlund S, et al. Efficacy and safety of oral semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes and moderate renal impairment (PIONEER 5): a placebo-controlled, randomised, phase 3a trial. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. Jul 2019;7(7):515-527. doi:10.1016/S2213-8587(19)30192-5