This unit is interested in studies relating to nutrition and metabolism in the critically ill patients. Specifically: The prevalence and mechanisms of, as well as therapies to treat, disordered gastrointestinal motility and absorption of nutrients in these patients; and The relationship between hormones secreted from the gastrointestinal tract and glucose metabolism. The studies are clinically-based and, accordingly, our research programme is likely to be of more relevant to students with interests in acute care medicine, endocrinology or gastroenterology. However, the programme could be adapted for appropriate student with a basic science interest.
Research Projects
1. The molecular mechanisms underlying the incretin effect in critical illness
2. The effect of exogenous glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) on glucose metabolism in critically ill patients
3. The effects of increasing doses of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on gastric emptying and glucose metabolism in critically ill patients
4. The effects of exogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on oesophageal motility and gastro-oesophageal reflux in humans
5. Characteristics and determinants of absorption following gastric and small intestinal nutrient administration
6. Effect of enteral glutamine on nutrient absorption in severe trauma
7. Effects of energy density and volume of nutrient on gastric emptying, gastro-oesophageal reflux, nutrient absorption, glycaemia and energy intake in patients who have failed nasogastric feeding
8. Effect of meal composition on GE and humoral profile
Key References
Deane AM, Summers MJ, Zaknic AV, Chapman MJ, Fraser RJ, Di Bartolomeo AE, Wishart JM, Horowitz M. Exogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 attenuates the glycaemic response to postpyloric nutrient infusion in critically ill patients with type-2 diabetes Critical Care 2011 15: R35.
Deane AM, Zaknic AV, Summers M, J Chapman MJ, Di Bartolomeo A, Bellon M, Russo A, Maddox A, Horowitz M, Fraser RJ. Glucose absorption and small intestinal transit in critical illness. Critical Care Med 2011 39: 1282-8.
Deane A, Chapman MJ, Fraser RJ, Summers M, Zaknic A, Storey J, Jones K, Rayner C, Horowitz M. Effects of exogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 on gastric emptying and glucose absorption in the critically ill – relationship to glycaemia. Crit Care Med 2010 38(5):1261-9.
Deane AM, Nguyen NQ, Steven JE, Fraser RJ, Holloway RH, Burgstad C, Besanko LK, Jones KL, Rayner CK, Chapman MJ, Horowitz M. Endogenous glucagon-like peptide-1 slows gastric emptying in healthy subjects attenuating postprandial glycemia. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism 2010 95(1):215-21.
Deane, A, Zaknic AV, Summers MJ, Chapman MJ, Lange K, Ritz M, Davidson G, Horowitz M, Fraser RJ. Intrasubject variability of gastric emptying in the critically ill using a stable isotope breath test. Clin Nutr 2010 29(5):682-6.
