Hormone Laboratory Research Group

Thermogenesis is the process by which heat is produced, accounting for about 10% of the body's total energy expenditure. Adipose tissue is an organ that contains white adipocytes, which store excess calories as triglycerides. In addition, there are brown and beige adipocytes, which are rich in mitochondria and release energy as heat (non-shivering thermogenesis). Targeting brown and beige fat tissue opens up new therapies for obesity and type 2 diabetes. Retrospective studies suggest that women have more active brown fat (BAT), which may be due to differences in levels of sex hormones.

Human mesenchymal stem cells from adipose tissue (Ad-MSC) are isolated from liposuction material and differentiated into brown fat cells (in vitro model). Our goals are to:

• Identify new transcriptional regulators important for metabolism in brown/beige adipocytes
• Explore the role of estradiol and estrogen receptor (ER) in BAT activity and development
• Investigate ER-dependent regulation of batokines and cytokines from brown adipocytes

Obesity and type 2 diabetes are becoming increasingly widespread across the globe. A multidisciplinary research environment for studying obesity and related diseases has been established, encompassing experimental, clinical, genetic, and epidemiological studies. Fat biopsies, blood, and urine samples from overweight patients undergoing bariatric surgery are stored in biobanks. These patients are treated at several hospitals in Norway, which use various surgical methods. We also conduct dietary intervention studies to investigate clinical and molecular changes during weight loss.

In healthy individuals, immune cells in adipose tissue help maintain metabolic balance. In an overweight state, these immune cells can shift to pro-inflammatory phenotypes that contribute to metabolic disturbances such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Changes in key metabolic pathways—including those related to carbohydrate, lipid, and amino acid metabolism—contribute to insulin resistance and increased risk of modern diseases. Adipocytes, along with hepatocytes and myocytes, have been identified as key cells in the metabolic and endocrine regulation of the body’s energy balance.

Our projects focus on:

• Studies of changes in gene expression and novel genes in adipose tissue as a result of weight loss
• Investigations into new factors in adipocyte development and function
• Evaluation of alternative dietary strategies for long-term treatment of obesity and related diseases
• Studies on the role of pro-inflammatory immune cells, especially Natural Killer (NK) cells, in obesity-related adipose tissue inflammation and systemic insulin resistance
• Research on human brown adipocytes as a regenerative approach to restore body weight and glucose balance
• CRISPR-based editing of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) to uncover individual and evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of gene regulation, metabolic fine-tuning, and disease risk
• The role of amino acid transport and metabolism in adipocytes in the context of obesity and insulin resistance
• The role of different adipocyte subtypes and heterogeneity in adipose tissue function and energy balance
• Metabolic adaptations and effects on visceral fat, disease risk markers, and postprandial responses following altered intake of dietary carbohydrates and lipids (e.g., the randomized controlled studies FATFUNC, CARBFUNC, and OMEGA)
• The therapeutic potential of dietary intervention for remission of type 2 diabetes (CARBCOUNT, a multicenter randomized controlled trial)

Obesity-driven small extracellular vesicles: Novel mediators of cardiac risk or resilience?

In patients with moderate to severe obesity, metabolic dysregulation are key drivers of structural and functional cardiac remodeling, predominantly affecting cardiovascular function. Bariatric surgery is to date the most effective treatment option for people with class III (BMI > 40) obesity, with a high number of patients experiencing sustained weight loss and reduced metabolic dysfunction, and cardiovascular risk. However, after substantial weight loss following bariatric surgery, a subset of patients continues to exhibit residual cardiovascular dysfunction. Currently there are limitations in diagnostic methods and testing strategies to detect cardiac dysfunction in people with obesity. Furthermore, the mechanisms linking adipose tissue to cardiomyocyte remodeling in obesity, which may contribute to cardiovascular risk, remain unclear.

Adipose tissue functions as an active endocrine organ and is closely connected to cardiac function through the release of bioactive signals. During obesity adipocytes become stressed and a hallmark of adipocyte stress is mitochondrial dysfunction, characterized by a reduction in mitochondrial mass, and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The current state of knowledge highlights emerging preclinical evidence implicating small extracellular vesicles (sEV), particularly mitochondria-containing sEV (sEV-mt) derived from adipose tissue, as potential mediators of inter-organ communication that may modulate cardiac stress responses. This raises the possibility that adipose-derived sEV cargo could contribute to early cardiac dysfunction in severe obesity and may serve as a risk factor of cardiovascular risk and heart failure in humans. This project is significant and novel for the cardiovascular and obesity related metabolic disorder- research because it pioneers the investigation of adipocyte-derived sEV in human obesity, linking inter-organ signaling to subclinical cardiac dysfunction and cardiovascular risk.

More practical information (in Norwegian)

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, which accounts for approximately 70% of all cases, are offered endocrine therapy either by blocking the estrogen receptor (ER) with a selective ER modulator such as tamoxifen, or by inhibiting estrogen synthesis with an aromatase inhibitor. Resistance to current anti-hormonal treatments is common and occurs in 30–40% of patients.

Tamoxifen is the most widely used drug for the prevention and treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, its clinical effectiveness varies from person to person. Tamoxifen is extensively metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes, and recent in vivo studies have shown that women with genetically reduced CYP2D6 function have lower production of endoxifen, the most important active metabolite of tamoxifen. This impairment is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer recurrence. Despite these observations, the overall significance of endoxifen for tamoxifen’s therapeutic effect remains uncertain.

We use advanced technology and have developed new methods for liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LCMSMS) to measure tamoxifen and its metabolites, as well as aromatase inhibitors. With a translational focus—from bedside to laboratory and back—we utilize clinical cohorts, including the Prospective Breast Cancer Biobank (PBCB) in Western Norway, in combination with experimental cell models, molecular biology, genomics, image analysis, and bioinformatics.

Our breast cancer projects include:

i. Optimization of endocrine therapy based on pharmacogenomics (personalized treatment) and therapeutic drug monitoring 

ii. Molecular determinants of response to endocrine therapy in breast cancer 

iii. Effects of metformin in breast cancer prevention 

iv. Endocrine and paracrine environments in breast cancer

The highly sensitive liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry technology (LCMSMS) is considered the gold standard for analytical measurements of small, important molecules such as steroid hormones. LCMSMS methods are based on direct physical measurements of analytes and are extremely specific and sensitive. Unlike immunochemical methods, LCMSMS technology virtually eliminates erroneous results caused by cross-reactivity and contamination.

Using proprietary methods, we can accurately measure a panel of steroid hormones in various materials (serum/plasma, saliva, cell culture medium, cell lysate). This methodological platform enables highly precise mapping of human steroid metabolism. In addition, we have automated sample handling, allowing for high-capacity analyses.

Our projects focus on:

i. Characterization of steroid hormone metabolomics 

ii. Cross-sectional studies of steroid metabolism in healthy individuals, stratified by parameters such as age, body mass index (BMI), and binding proteins 

iii. Measurement of very low levels of estradiol in human plasma/serum

Martha Haugstøyl (2022) Immune cell phenotypes in adipose tissue and obesity-associated circulating biomarkers

Elise Grytten (2022) Changes in cardiometabolic risk factors after supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids

Mona S. Bjune (2022) The valine-3-HIB pathway in obesity, insulin resistance and fatty liver 

Divya Sri Priyanka Tallapragada (2021) Novel adipose genes in substrate- and depot-dependent lipid accumulation

Regine Åsen Jersin (2020) Role of adipocyte SLC7A10 and amino acid metabolism in obesity

Krisitina Strand (2020) Characterization of adipose tissue and liver innate immune cells in obesity-related insulin resistance.

Christine Haugen (2020) Molecular determinants of obesity and glucose tolerance. The role of IRX3, IRX5 and decorin.

Jan Inge Bjune (2020) Regulation of adipogenesis and fat storage by IRX3 and IRX5.

Vivian Veum (2019) Changes in fat accumulation and metabolic risk parameters during weight loss.

Thomas Helland (2019) Tamoxifen in the treatment of luminal breast cancer - Implications of active metabolites on gene expression, side effects and clinical outcome.

Olivera Bozickovic (2015) Regulation and function of steroid receptor coactivator 2 in hepatoma and breast cancer cells.

Andre Greger Madsen (2015) Function and regulation of Steroid Receptor Coactivator 2. Transcriptional regulation of cellular metabolism.

Monika H. E. Christensen (2013) Primary Hyperpapathyroidism: Effects on Bone and Markers of Inflammation.

Line L. Haugan Moi (2012) Endocrine Treatment of Breast Cancer: Tamoxifen metabolism, steroid receptor coactivators and growth factor receptors.

Marianne Hauglid Flågeng (2011) Steroid Receptor Coactivators and Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors in Breast Cancer.

Simon E Nitter Dankel (2011) Transcriptomics of Adipose Tissue: Integrative Search for Obesity Candidate Genes.

Ingvild Sveinsgjerd Fenne (2008) Regulation of Nuclear Receptor Coactivator GRIP1 by cAMP-Dependent Signaling.

Jennifer Gjerde (2008) Tamoxifen Treatment of Breast Cancer: Pharmacogenetics and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring.

Therese Røst (2008) Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPARs) and Mitochondria in Relation to Lifestyle-Related Diseases.

Tuyen Thi Van Hoang (2007) Nuclear Receptor Coregulators – Role of Protein-Protein Interactions and cAMP/PKA Signaling.

Pål Holm (2007) Betaine and its Relation to Homocysteine Status and One-Carbon Metabolism in Humans: Analytical Method and Biochemical Studies.

Bjørn Gunnar Nedrebø (2004) Graves’ Disease and Hypothyroidism with Emphasis on Treatment, Homocysteine and B-vitamins.

Elton Richard Kisanga (2004) Pharmacology of Low-Dose Tamoxifen Regiments in Breast Cancer Treatment.

Bente Børud (2002) Transcriptional Regulation by Steroidogenic Factor-1 and Interacting Coregulators.

Johan Arnt Steier (2002) Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) in Pregnancy: Significance of Fetal Sex on hCG Levels in Maternal Blood.

Hooshang Lahooti (1991) The Estradiol Receptor and the 90 kDa Heat Shock Protein: Phosphorylation of Receptor and the Heat Shock Protein, and Studies on Regulation of the Estradiol Receptor mRNA.

Ole Langeland Myking (1988) Oestrogens in Male Blood, Effect of Age and Fatty Liver: Significance of Hepatic Sulphotransferase for the Levels of Oestrone and Oestrone Sulphate - Clinical and Experimental Studies.

Thor Thorsen (1982) Studies on Steroid Receptors in Human Breast Cancer, with Special Reference to Functional Integrity.

Karl Fr. Støa (1958) Studies on Thiocyanate in Serum: with some Supplementary Investigations in Saliva, Urine, and Cerebrospinal Fluid

The work of the Hormone research group has featured in many local and national newspaper articles, TV programmes and online

2025:

Press release from Lifecare

Which minced meat is the most healthy? (BergensTidende)

Advice about eggs in the diet should be changed: –Confusing and incorrect (BergensTidende)

Can daily intake of codliver oil replace eating fatty fish? (BergensTidende)

2024:

How much chips, fizzy drinks and candy can we eat each week (BergensTidende)

Are cakes and baked goods healthier than candy? (BergensTidende)

IBS (BergensTidende)

Avoiding ultra-processed food (BergensTidende)

2023:

Ueinig om ultraprosessert mat: – Det må vera lov å kosa seg Debat, NRK

New dietary advice without proof (Podcast)

Wrong to withdraw medicine that helps with obesity (BergensTidende) 

2022: 

Trond lost 15 kilos in weightCarbCount studiet, (Sprek, BergensTidende)

Diabesity Nordic Meeting  (BergensTidende)

Nationwide clinicla study and follow-up (breast cancer) (Dagens medisin)

2020:

New test to detect diabetes (forskning.no)

Obesity genes reduce metabolism (forskning.no)

IRX3 controls a SUMOylation-dependent differentiation switch in adipocyte precursor cells. Bjune JI, Laber S, Lawrence-Archer L, Nothnagel PMC, Yamada S, Zhao X, Panahandeh Strømland P, Al-Sharabi N, Mustafa K, Njølstad PR, Claussnitzer M, Cox RD, Chymkowitch P, Mellgren G, Dankel SN. Nat Commun. 2025 Aug 6;16(1):7248. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-62361-1. PMID: 40769964 Free PMC article.

Effects of metformin on transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles in breast cancer survivors enrolled in the randomized placebo-controlled MetBreCS trial. Pouda Panahandeh Strømland, Bjørn-Erik Bertelsen, Kristin Viste, Anastasia Chrysovalantou Chatziioannou, Federica Bellerba, Nivonirina Robinot, Amarine Trolat, Marianne Hauglid Flågeng, Augustin Scalbert, Pekka Keski-Rahkonen, Dorothy D Sears, Bernardo Bonanni, Sara Gandini, Harriet Johansson, Gunnar Mellgren. Sci Rep 2025 May 15;15:16897. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-01705-9. Open access.

Inflammatory markers after supplementation with marine n-3 or plant n-6 PUFAs: A randomized double-blind crossover study. Grytten E, Laupsa-Borge J, Cetin K, Bohov P, Nordrehaug JE, Skorve J, Berge RK, Strand E, Bjørndal B, Nygård OK, Rostrup E, Mellgren G, Dankel SN. J Lipid Res. 2025 Apr;66(4):100770. doi: 10.1016/j.jlr.2025.100770. Epub 2025 Mar 8. PMID: 40058591 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.

Symptoms during initiation of a ketogenic diet: a scoping review of occurrence rates, mechanisms and relief strategies. Skartun O, Smith CR, Laupsa-Borge J, Dankel SN. Front Nutr. 2025 Mar 26;12:1538266. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1538266. eCollection 2025. PMID: 40206956 Free PMC article.

Hepatic lipid metabolism is altered in Ubiad1^+/- mice of both sexes. Higa R, Pourteymour S, Kolan PS, Dankel SN, Fernø J, Mellgren G, Pan C, Seldin MM, Lusis AJ, Drevon CA, Dalen KT, Norheim FA. Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 27;15(1):7022. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-91283-7. PMID: 40016272 Free PMC article.

Quality and quantity of carbohydrates, faecal short-chain fatty acids and gastrointestinal symptoms - results from a randomised, controlled trial (CARBFUNC). Jensen C, Sommersten CH, Laupsa-Borge J, Storås I, Valeur J, Mellgren G, Dierkes J, Dankel SN, Lied GA. Clin Nutr. 2025 Jan;44:54-64. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.11.041. Epub 2024 Nov 26.PMID: 39631208 Free article. Clinical Trial.

Drug and biomarker tissue levels in a randomized presurgical trial on exemestane alternative schedules. Serrano D, Johansson H, Bertelsen BE, Gandini S, Mellgren G, Thomas P, Crew KD, Kumar NB, Macis D, Aristarco V, Guerrieri-Gonzaga A, Lazzeroni M, D'Amico M, Buttiron-Webber T, Briata IM, Spinaci S, Galimberti V, Vornik LA, Villar-Sanchez E, Brown PH, Heckman-Stoddard BM, Szabo E, Bonanni B, DeCensi A. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2024 Dec 1;116(12):1979-1982. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djae183. PMID: 39110531 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.

Quality and quantity of carbohydrates, faecal short-chain fatty acids and gastrointestinal symptoms - results from a randomised, controlled trial (CARBFUNC). Jensen C, Sommersten CH, Laupsa-Borge J, Storås I, Valeur J, Mellgren G, Dierkes J, Dankel SN, Lied GA. Clin Nutr. 2024 Nov 26;44:54-64. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.11.041. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39631208 Free article.

Quantitative proteomics reveals serum proteome alterations during metastatic disease progression in breast cancer patients. Kaur J, Jung SY, Austdal M, Arun AK, Helland T, Mellgren G, Lende TH, Janssen EAM, Søiland H, Aneja R. Clin Proteomics. 2024 Jul 29;21(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12014-024-09496-3.PMID: 39075362 Free article.

Gastrointestinal hormones and subjective ratings of appetite after low-carbohydrate vs low-fat low-energy diets in females with lipedema - A randomized controlled trial. Lundanes J, Storliløkken GE, Solem MS, Dankel SN, Tangvik RJ, Ødegård R, Holst JJ, Rehfeld JF, Martins C, Nymo S. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2024 Nov 19;65:16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.clnesp.2024.11.018. Online ahead of print. PMID: 39566600 Free article.

Case report: Ketogenic diet alleviated anxiety and depression associated with insulin-dependent diabetes management. Winje E, Lake I, Dankel SN. Front Nutr. 2024 Oct 30;11:1404842. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1404842. eCollection 2024. PMID: 39539363 Free PMC article.

Ex Vivo Demonstration of a Novel Dual-Frequency Ultrasound Method for Quantitative Measurements of Liver Fat Content. Berg S, Amini N, Solberg S, Ødegård RA, Kulseng BE, Fossmark R, Muller S, Dankel SN, Berge RK, Rønne E, Mjønes P, Hansen R. Ultrasound Med Biol. 2025 Jan;51(1):159-168. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2024.09.019. Epub 2024 Oct 18. PMID: 39424495 Free article.

Nonlinear Mixed-Effects Model of Z-Endoxifen Concentrations in Tamoxifen-Treated Patients from the CEPAM Cohort. McLaughlin AM, Helland T, Klima F, Koolen SLW, van Schaik RHN, Mathijssen RHJ, Neven P, Swen JJ, Guchelaar HJ, Dalenc F, White-Koning M, Michelet R, Mikus G, Schroth W, Mürdter T, Brauch H, Schwab M, Søiland H, Mellgren G, Thomas F, Kloft C, Hertz DL; CYP2D6 Endoxifen Percentage Activity Model (CEPAM) Consortium. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2024 Sep;116(3):690-702. doi: 10.1002/cpt.3238. Epub 2024 Mar 18.PMID: 38494911

Quantitative proteomics reveals serum proteome alterations during metastatic disease progression in breast cancer patients. Kaur J, Jung SY, Austdal M, Arun AK, Helland T, Mellgren G, Lende TH, Janssen EAM, Søiland H, Aneja R. Clin Proteomics. 2024 Jul 29;21(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s12014-024-09496-3. PMID: 39075362 Free PMC article.

Novel mechanisms involved in leptin sensitization in obesity. Pena-Leon V, Perez-Lois R, Villalon M, Prida E, Muñoz-Moreno D, Fernø J, Quiñones M, Al-Massadi O, Seoane LM.Biochem Pharmacol. 2024 May;223:116129. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2024.116129. Epub 2024 Mar 13. PMID: 38490517 Review.

Association between dietary macronutrient composition and plasma one-carbon metabolites and B-vitamin cofactors in patients with stable angina pectoris. Bråtveit M, Van Parys A, Olsen T, Strand E, Marienborg I, Laupsa-Borge J, Haugsgjerd TR, McCann A, Dhar I, Ueland PM, Dierkes J, Dankel SN, Nygård OK, Lysne V. Br J Nutr. 2024 May 28;131(10):1678-1690. doi: 10.1017/S0007114524000473. Epub 2024 Feb 16. PMID: 38361451 Free PMC article.

Effect of metformin and lifestyle intervention on adipokines and hormones in breast cancer survivors: a pooled analysis from two randomized controlled trials. Johansson H, Bellerba F, Macis D, Bertelsen BE, Guerrieri-Gonzaga A, Aristarco V, Viste K, Mellgren G, Di Cola G, Costantino J, Scalbert A, Sears DD, Gandini S, DeCensi A, Bonanni B. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2024 May;205(1):49-59. doi: 10.1007/s10549-023-07241-2. Epub 2024 Jan 26.PMID: 38279016 Free PMC article. Clinical Trial.

Preoperative risk factors associated with left ventricular dysfunction after bariatric surgery. Lisa MD Grymyr, Gunnar Mellgren, Adrian McCann, Eva Gerdts, Klaus Meyer, Saied Nadirpour, Johan Fernø, Bjørn G Nedrebø, Dana Cramariuc. Sci Rep 2024 Jan 25;14(1):2173. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-52623-1.

A randomized Phase I pre-operative window trial of transdermal endoxifen in women planning mastectomy: Evaluation of dermal safety, intra-mammary drug distribution, and biologic effects. Lee O, Bazzi LA, Xu Y, Pearson E, Wang M, Hosseini O, Akasha AM, Choi JN, Karlan S, Pilewskie M, Kocherginsky M, Benante K, Helland T, Mellgren G, Dimond E, Perloff M, Heckman-Stoddard BM, Khan SA. Biomed Pharmacother. 2024 Jan 2;171:116105. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.116105. Online ahead of print. PMID: 38171245 Free article

De nye kostrådene har metodiske mangler. Marit Kolby, Elling Bere, Siv Hilde Berg, Simon E Nitter Dankel. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen 2023 Nov 27;143(18). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr. 23.0758.  Print 2023 Dec 12. Debate, Norwegian Medical association. Free article in Norwegian.

Gastric GDF15 levels are regulated by age, sex, and nutritional status in rodents and humans. Pena-Leon V, Perez-Lois R, Villalon M, Folgueira C, Barja-Fernández S, Prida E, Baltar J, Santos F, Fernø J, García-Caballero T, Nogueiras R, Quiñones M, Al-Massadi O, Seoane LM. J Endocrinol Invest. 2023 Nov 13. doi: 10.1007/s40618-023-02232-y. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37955834

Changes in Plasma Pyruvate and TCA Cycle Metabolites upon Increased Hepatic Fatty Acid Oxidation and Ketogenesis in Male Wistar Rats. Dankel SN, Kalleklev TL, Tungland SL, Stafsnes MH, Bruheim P, Aloysius TA, Lindquist C, Skorve J, Nygård OK, Madsen L, Bjørndal B, Sydnes MO, Berge RK. Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Oct 24;24(21):15536. doi: 10.3390/ijms242115536. PMID: 37958519 Free PMC article.

Presurgical Oral Tamoxifen vs Transdermal 4-Hydroxytamoxifen in Women With Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Seema A. Khan, Xinlei Mi, Yanfei Xu, Luis Z. Blanco Jr, Azza M. Akasha, Melissa Pilewskie, Amy C. Degnim, Zahraa AlHilli, Amanda L. Amin, E. Shelley Hwang, Joseph Michael GUenther, Masha Kocherginsky, Kelly Benante, Shanshan Zhang, Thomas Helland, Simon Steiner Hustad, Demirkan B. Gursel, Gunnar Mellgren, Eileen Dimond, Marjorie Åerloff, Brandy M. Heckman-Stoddard, Oukseub Lee. JAMA Surgery. Original Investigation. Published online October 23, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2023.5113 PMID: 37870954

Ja, hva kreves egentlig av kunnskap før man gir kostholdsråd? Elling Bere, Simon N Dankel. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2023 Sep 25;143(13). doi: 10.4045/tidsskr.23.0586. Print 2023 Sep 26. Article in Norwegian, Free article, No abstract available. PMID: 377537.

Peripheral and central macrophages in obesity. Sayani Mukherjee, Silje Skrede, Martha Haugstøyl, Miguel López, Johan Fernø. Front Endocrinol 2023 Aug 31:14:1232171. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1232171. eCollection 2023, Review. Free PMC article. PMID: 37720534.

High-fat diet impact on intestinal cholesterol conversion by the microbiota and serum cholesterol levels. Alena M Bubeck, Paul Urbain, Cathrine Horn, Anna S Jung, Lisa Ferrari, Hannah K Ruple, Daniel Podlesny, Stefanie Zorn, Johnny Laupsa-Borge, Caroline Jensen, Inge Lindseth, Gülen Arslan Lied, Jutta Dierkes, Gunnar Mellgren, Hartmut Bertz, Silke Matysik, Sabrina Krautbauer, Gerhard Liebisch, Hans-Frieder Schoett, Simon N Dankel, W Florian Fricke. iScience 2023 Aug 21;26(9):107697. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107697. eCollection 2023 Sep 15. PMID: 37694136

Long-term impact of gastropexy on use of acid-reducing medication, second operations for gastroesophageal reflux and subjective reflux symptoms after sleeve gastrectomy. Tone Nygaard Flølo, Alexander Fossa, Jonas Ingolf Petersson Nedkvitne, Jo Erling Riise Waage, Magne Rekdal, Simon Nitter Dankel, Johan Fernø, Gunnar Mellgren, Bjørn Gunnar Nedrebø. Clin Obes 2023 Aug 15; e12618. doi: 10.1111/cob.12618. Online ahead of print. PMID: 37583310

Reply - Letter to the editor. Isaksen IM, Dankel SN.  Clin Nutr. 2023 Jul 12:S0261-5614(23)00227-3. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.07.009. Online ahead of print. No abstract available. PMID: 37479566

Importance of endocrine treatment adherence and persistence in breast cancer survivorship: a systematic review. Eliassen FM, Blåfjelldal V, Helland T, Hjorth CF, Hølland K, Lode L, Bertelsen BE, Janssen EAM, Mellgren G, Kvaløy JT, Søiland H, Lende TH. BMC Cancer. 2023 Jul 4;23(1):625. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-11122-8.PMID: 37403065 Free PMC article.

Sex-specific responses in glucose-insulin homeostasis and lipoprotein-lipid components after high-dose supplementation with marine n-3 PUFAs in abdominal obesity: a randomized double-blind crossover study. Laupsa-Borge J, Grytten E, Bohov P, Bjørndal B, Strand E, Skorve J, Nordrehaug JE, Berge RK, Rostrup E, Mellgren G, Dankel SN, Nygård OK. Front Nutr. 2023 Jun 19;10:1020678. doi: 10.3389/fnut. 2023.1020678. eCollection 2023. PMID: 37404855 Free PMC article.

A non-coding variant linked to metabolic obesity with normal weight affects actin remodelling in subcutaneous adipocytes. Glunk V, Laber S, Sinnott-Armstrong N, Sobreira DR, Strobel SM, Batista TM, Kubitz P, Moud BN, Ebert H, Huang Y, Brandl B, Garbo G, Honecker J, Stirling DR, Abdennur N, Calabuig-Navarro V, Skurk T, Ocvirk S, Stemmer K, Cimini BA, Carpenter AE, Dankel SN, Lindgren CM, Hauner H, Nobrega MA, Claussnitzer M. Nat Metab. 2023 May;5(5):861-879. doi: 10.1038/s42255-023-00807-w. Epub 2023 May 30. PMID: 37253881

Metabolic role of the hepatic valine/3-hydroxyisobutyrate (3-HIB) pathway in fatty liver disease. Mona Synnøve Bjune, Laurence Lawence-Archer, Johnny Laupsa-Borge, Cathrine Horn Sommersten, Adrian McCann, Robert Clay Glastad, Iain George Johnston, Matthias Kern, Matthias Bühler, Gunnar Mellgren, Simon N Dankel. EBioMedicine 2023 Apr 19;91:104569.doi: 10.1016/ j.ebiom. 2023.104569.  Online ahead of print. PMID: 37084480

Obesity Is Associated with Distorted Proteoglycan Expression in Adipose Tissue. Meen AJ, Doncheva AI, Böttcher Y, Dankel SN, Hoffmann A, Blüher M, Fernø J, Mellgren G, Ghosh A, Sun W, Dong H, Noé F, Wolfrum C, Pejler G, Dalen KT, Kolset SO.Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Apr 7;24(8):6884. doi: 10.3390/ijms24086884. PMID: 37108048 Free PMC article.

Ultra-processed food consumption and cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Isaksen IM, Dankel SN. Clin Nutr. 2023 Jun;42(6):919-928. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.03.018. Epub 2023 Mar 30. PMID: 37087831

Impaired adipocyte SLC7A10 promotes lipid storage in association with insulin resistance and altered BCAA metabolism. Jersin RÅ, Tallapragada DSP, Skartveit L, Bjune MS, Muniandy M, Lee-Ødegård S, Heinonen S, Alvarez M, Birkeland KI, Drevon CA, Pajukanta P, McCann A, Pietiläinen KH, Claussnitzer M, Mellgren G, Dankel SN. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Mar 14:dgad148. doi: 10.1210/clinem/ dgad148. Online ahead of print. PMID: 36916878

Relationship between Ketones, Ghrelin, and, Appetite on Isocaloric Diets with Varying Carbohydrate Quality and Amount: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial in People with Obesity (CARBFUNC). Cathrine Horn Sommersten, Eirin Semb Gjerde, Johnny Laupså-Borge, Amanda Andersen, Laurence Lawrence-Archer, Adrian McCann, Patrik Hansson, Ghulam S. Raza, Karl Heinz Herzig, Gülen Arslan Lied, Catia Martins, Gunnar Mellgren, Jutta Dierkes, Simon N. Dankel. 2023 Feb;153(2):459-469. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.12.030. Epub 2022 Dec 29

Phenotypic diversity of human adipose tissue-resident NK cells in obesity. Martha E Haugstøyl, Martin Cornillet, Kristina Strand, Natalie Stiglund, Dan Sun, Laurence Lawrence-Archer, Iren D Hjellestad, Christian Busch, Gunnar Mellgren, Niklas K Björkström, Johan Fernø. Front Immunol 2023 Feb 22;14:1130370. doi: 10.3389/Free PMC article. PMID: 36911659

Distinct T cell subsets in adipose tissue are associated with obesity. Martha E. Haugstøyl, Martin Cornillet, Kristina Strand, Natalie Stiglund, Dan Sun, Laurence Lawrence-Archer, Iren D. Hjellestad, Ernesto Sparrelid, Christian Busch, Jøran Hjelmesæth, Jens K. Hertel, Andrea Ponzetta, Gunnar Mellgren, Johan Fernø, Niklas K. Björkström. Short communication Eur J Immunol 2022 Nov 25. doi: 10.1002/ eji.202249990. 

MRI adipose tissue segmentation and quantifcation in R (RAdipoSeg). Christine Haugen, Vegard Lysne, Ingfrid Haldorsen, Erling Tjora, Oddrun Anita Gudbrandsen, Jørn Vegard Sagen, Simon N. Dankel and Gunnar Mellgren. Diabetology & Metabolic Syndrome (2022) 14:146.  doi: 10.1186/s13098-022-00913-x. Open Access

Diets differing in carbohydrate cellularity and amount similarly reduced visceral fat in people with obesity - a randomized controlled trial (CARBFUNC). Sommersten CH, Laupsa-Borge J, Andersen AIO, Fasmer KE, Holmefjord MA, Revheim I, Johannessen KK, Næsheim NT, Storås I, Leikanger T, Amundsen K, Skjerve KL, Lawrence-Archer L, Spjelkavik C, Haldorsen I, Lindseth I, Dierkes J, Mellgren G, Dankel SN. Clin Nutr. 2022 Sep 5;41(10):2345-2355. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2022.08.028. PMID: 36116147

The neutral amino acid transporter SLC7A10 in adipose tissue, obesity and insulin resistance. Jersin RÅ, Jonassen LR, Dankel SN. Front. Cell Dev. Biol. Sec. Cellular Biochemistry. 2022 Sep 12. Review article: doi.org/10.3389/ fcell. 2022. 974338

Consumption of a light meal affects serum concentrations of one-carbon metabolites and B-vitamins. A clinical intervention study. Helland A, Bratlie M, Hagen IV, Midttun Ø, Ulvik A, Mellgren G, Ueland PM, Gudbrandsen OA. Br J Nutr. 2022 Jul 28:1-10. doi: 10.1017/ S0007114522002446. PMID: 35899805

Liquid biopsies and patient-reported outcome measures for integrative monitoring of patients with early-stage breast cancer: a study protocol for the longitudinal observational Prospective Breast Cancer Biobanking (PBCB) study. Søiland H, Janssen EAM, Helland T, Eliassen FM, Hagland M, Nordgård O, Lunde S, Lende TH, Sagen JV, Tjensvoll K, Gilje B, Jonsdottir K, Gudlaugsson E, Lode K, Hagen KB, Gripsrud BH, Lind R, Heie A, Aas T, Austdal M, Egeland NG, Bernklev T, Lash TL, Skartveit L, Kroksveen AC, Oltedal S, Kvaløy JT, Lien EA, Sleire L, Mellgren G; PBCB-study group. BMJ Open. 2022 Apr 29;12(4):e054404. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054404.PMID: 35487718

Simultaneous Quantification of Aromatase Inhibitors and Estrogens in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients. Bertelsen BE, Viste K, Helland T, Hagland M, Søiland H, Geisler J, Lende TH, Lønning PE, Sagen JV, Mellgren G, Almås B. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2022 Apr 19;107(5):1368-1374. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab923.PMID: 34958096.

Subtype-Specific Surface Proteins on Adipose Tissue Macrophages and Their Association to Obesity-Induced Insulin Resistance. Strand K, Stiglund N, Haugstøyl ME, Kamyab Z, Langhelle V, Dyer L, Busch C, Cornillet M, Hjellestad ID, Nielsen HJ, Njølstad PR, Mellgren G, Björkström NK, Fernø J. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2022 Apr 11;13:856530. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2022.856530. eCollection 2022. PMID: 35480482

Seven-year trajectories of body weight, quality of life and comorbidities following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy. Nielsen HJ, Nedrebø BG, Fosså A, Andersen JR, Assmus J, Dagsland VH, Dankel SN, Gudbrandsen OA, Fernø J, Hjellestad I, Hjermstad MJ, Kolotkin RL, Thorsen HL, Mellgren G, Flølo TN. Int J Obes (Lond). 2022 Apr;46(4):739-749. doi: 10.1038/s41366-021-01028-5. Epub 2022. PMID: 34974544 

Crosstalk between Melanin Concentrating Hormone and Endocrine Factors: Implications for Obesity. Prida E, Fernández-González S, Pena-León V, Pérez-Lois R, Fernø J, Seoane LM, Quiñones M, Al Massadi O. Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Feb 23;23(5):2436. doi: 10.3390/ijms23052436. PMID: 35269579 Review.

Metabolic and Epigenetic Regulation by Estrogen in Adipocytes. Bjune JI, Strømland PP, Jersin RÅ, Mellgren G, Dankel SN. Front. Endocrinol., 2022 Feb 22, doi: 10.3339/fendo.2022.828780

Understanding the Effects of Antipsychotics on Appetite Control. Mukherjee S, Skrede S, Milbank E, Andriantsitohaina R, López M, Fernø J. Front Nutr. 2022 Jan 3;8:815456. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.815456. eCollection 2021. PMID: 35047549 Review.

Serglycin Is Involved in Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Obesity. Doncheva AI, Norheim FA, Hjorth M, Grujic M, Paivandy A, Dankel SN, Hertel JK, Valderhaug TG, Böttcher Y, Fernø J, Mellgren G, Dalen KT, Pejler G, Kolset SO. J Immunol Jan 1, 2022, 208 (1) 121-132; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.2100231

Simultaneous Quantification of Aromatase Inhibitors and Estrogens in Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Patients. Bertelsen BE, Viste K, Helland T, Hagland M, Søiland H, Geisler J, Hoel Lende T, Lønning PE, Sagen JV, Mellgren G, Almås B. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2021 Dec 27:dgab923. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgab923. PMID: 34958096

Impact of overweight on glucose homeostasis in MODY2 and MODY3. Romuld IB, Kalleklev TL, Molnes J, Juliusson PB, Njølstad PR, Sagen JV. Diabet Med. 2021 Oct;38(10):e14649. doi: 10.1111/dme.14649. Epub 2021 Aug 5. PMID: 34269485

O-GlcNAcylated p53 in the liver modulates hepatic glucose production. Gonzalez-Rellan MJ, Fondevila MF, Fernandez U, Rodríguez A, Varela-Rey M, Veyrat-Durebex C, Seoane S, Bernardo G, Lopitz-Otsoa F, Fernández-Ramos D, Bilbao J, Iglesias C, Novoa E, Ameneiro C, Senra A, Beiroa D, Cuñarro J, Dp Chantada-Vazquez M, Garcia-Vence M, Bravo SB, Da Silva Lima N, Porteiro B, Carneiro C, Vidal A, Tovar S, Müller TD, Ferno J, Guallar D, Fidalgo M, Sabio G, Herzig S, Yang WH, Cho JW, Martinez-Chantar ML, Perez-Fernandez R, López M, Dieguez C, Mato JM, Millet O, Coppari R, Woodhoo A, Fruhbeck G, Nogueiras R. Nat Commun. 2021 Aug 20;12(1):5068. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-25390-0. PMID: 34417460 

Genetic Deficiency of TRAF5 Promotes Adipose Tissue Inflammation and Aggravates Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice. Gissler MC, Anto-Michel N, Pennig J, Scherrer P, Li X, Marchini T, Pfeiffer K, Härdtner C, Abogunloko T, Mwinyella T, Sol Mitre L, Spiga L, Koentges C, Smolka C, von Elverfeldt D, Hoppe N, Stachon P, Dufner B, Heidt T, Piepenburg S, Hilgendorf I, Bjune JI, Dankel SN, Mellgren G, Seifert G, Eisenhardt SU, Bugger H, von Zur Muhlen C, Bode C, Zirlik A, Wolf D, Willecke F.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2021 Oct;41(10):2563-2574. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.121.316677. Epub 2021 Aug 5. PMID: 34348490

Hepatic Energy Metabolism Underlying Differential Lipidomic Responses to High-Carbohydrate and High-Fat Diets in Male Wistar Rats. Dankel SN, Bjørndal B, Lindquist C, Grinna ML, Rossmann CR, Bohov P, Nygård O, Hallström S, Strand E, Berge RK. J Nutr. 2021 Jun 16: nxab178. doi: 10.1093/jn/nxab178. PMID: 34132338

Effect of Genetic Variability in 20 Pharmacogenes on Concentrations of Tamoxifen and Its Metabolites. Chen Y, Marcath LA, Eliassen FM, Lende TH, Soiland H, Mellgren G, Helland T, Hertz DL. J Pers Med. 2021 Jun 4;11(6):507. doi: 10.3390/jpm11060507. PMID: 34199712 

Activity-Based Anorexia Induces Browning of Adipose Tissue Independent of Hypothalamic AMPK. Fraga A, Rial-Pensado E, Nogueiras R, Fernø J, Diéguez C, Gutierrez E, López M. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2021 Jun 2;12:669980. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2021.669980. eCollection 2021.PMID: 34149618 

Reply to JJ Christensen et al. Zinöcker MK, Svendsen K, Levental KR, Levental I, Dankel SN. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021 Jun 1;113(6):1712-1713. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqab111. PMID: 34060598

Changes in lipoprotein particle subclasses, standard lipids, and apolipoproteins after supplementation with n-3 or n-6 PUFAs in abdominal obesity: A randomized double-blind crossover study. Grytten E, Laupsa-Borge J, Bohov P, Bjørndal B, Strand E, Skorve J, Nordrehaug JE, Berge RK, Rostrup E, Mellgren G, Dankel SN, Nygård OK. Clin Nutr. 2021 May;40(5):2556-2575. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2021.03.040. Epub 2021 Apr 3. PMID: 33933722 

Association of CYP2D6 genotype and tamoxifen metabolites with breast cancer recurrence in a low-dose trial. DeCensi A, Johansson H, Helland T, Puntoni M, Macis D, Aristarco V, Caviglia S, Webber TB, Briata IM, D'Amico M, Serrano D, Guerrieri-Gonzaga A, Bifulco E, Hustad S, Søiland H, Boni L, Bonanni B, Mellgren G. NPJ Breast Cancer. 2021 Mar 25;7(1):34. doi: 10.1038/s41523-021-00236-6. PMID: 33767162 

Sirt3 in POMC neurons controls energy balance in a sex- and diet-dependent manner. Quiñones M, Hernández-Bautista R, Beiroa D, Heras V, Torres-Leal FL, Lam BYH, Senra A, Fernø J, Gómez-Valadés AG, Schwaninger M, Prevot V, Yeo G, Claret M, López M, Diéguez C, Al-Massadi O, Nogueiras R. Redox Biol. 2021 May;41:101945. doi: 10.1016/j.redox.2021.101945. Epub 2021 Mar 13. PMID: 33744652

Generating a Precision Endoxifen Prediction Algorithm to Advance Personalized Tamoxifen Treatment in Patients with Breast Cancer. Helland T, Alsomairy S, Lin C, Søiland H, Mellgren G, Hertz DL. J Pers Med. 2021 Mar 13;11(3):201. doi: 10.3390/jpm11030201. PMID: 33805613 Review.

Bedtime Salivary Cortisol as a Screening Test for Cushing Syndrome in Children. Ueland GÅ, Kellmann R, Jørstad Davidsen M, Viste K, Husebye ES, Almås B, Storr HL, Sagen JV, Mellgren G, Júlíusson PB, Methlie P. J Endocr Soc. 2021 Mar 4;5(5):bvab033. doi: 10.1210/jendso/bvab033. PMID: 33928203

A regulatory variant at 3q21.1 confers an increased pleiotropic risk for hyperglycemia and altered bone mineral density. Sinnott-Armstrong N, Sousa IS, Laber S, Rendina-Ruedy E, Nitter Dankel SE, Ferreira T, Mellgren G, Karasik D, Rivas M, Pritchard J, Guntur AR, Cox RD, Lindgren CM, Hauner H, Sallari R, Rosen CJ, Hsu YH, Lander ES, Kiel DP, Claussnitzer M.Cell Metab. 2021 Mar 2;33(3):615-628.e13. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2021.01.001. Epub 2021 Jan 28.PMID: 33513366 

Role of the Neutral Amino Acid Transporter SLC7A10 in Adipocyte Lipid Storage, Obesity, and Insulin Resistance. Jersin RÅ, Tallapragada DSP, Madsen A, Skartveit L, Fjære E, McCann A, Dyer L, Willems A, Bjune JI, Bjune MS, Våge V, Nielsen HJ, Thorsen HL, Nedrebø BG, Busch C, Steen VM, Blüher M, Jacobson P, Svensson PA, Fernø J, Rydén M, Arner P, Nygård O, Claussnitzer M, Ellingsen S, Madsen L, Sagen JV, Mellgren G, Dankel SN. Diabetes. 2021 Mar;70(3):680-695. doi: 10.2337/db20-0096. Epub 2021 Jan 6.PMID: 33408126

The Female Menstrual Cycles Effect on Strength and Power Parameters in High-Level Female Team Athletes. Dasa MS, Kristoffersen M, Ersvær E, Bovim LP, Bjørkhaug L, Moe-Nilssen R, Sagen JV, Haukenes I. Front Physiol. 2021 Feb 22;12:600668. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2021.600668. eCollection 2021. PMID: 33692699 

Effect of high intake of cod or salmon on serum total neopterin concentration: a randomised clinical trial. Helland A, Bratlie M, Hagen IV, Midttun Ø, Sveier H, Mellgren G, Ueland PM, Gudbrandsen OA. Eur J Nutr. 2021 Feb 12. doi: 10.1007/s00394-021-02497-0. PMID: 33576844

The homeoviscous adaptation to dietary lipids (HADL) model explains controversies over saturated fat, cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease risk. Zinöcker MK, Svendsen K, Dankel SN. Am J Clin Nutr. 2021 Feb 2;113(2):277-289. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/nqaa322.PMID: 33471045

Hypothalamic Actions of SIRT1 and SIRT6 on Energy Balance. Quiñones M, Martínez-Grobas E, Fernø J, Pérez-Lois R, Seoane LM, Al Massadi O. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jan 31;22(3):1430. doi: 10.3390/ijms22031430.PMID: 33572672

Plasma 3-hydroxyisobutyrate (3-HIB) and methylmalonic acid (MMA) are markers of hepatic mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in male Wistar rats. Bjune MS, Lindquist C, Hallvardsdotter Stafsnes M, Bjørndal B, Bruheim P, Aloysius TA, Nygård O, Skorve J, Madsen L, Dankel SN, Berge RK. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids. 2021 Jan 14;1866(4):158887. doi: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158887. PMID: 33454435