Activating the hepatic glucose fasting response to attenuate aging-related metabolic and autophagic defects
As a pediatrician and physician-scientist, Dr. DeBosch’s goal is to help ensure that all kids enter into adulthood healthy, thereby extending overall healthspan and lifespan. Fasting and caloric restriction have clear data in support of their beneficial effects on healthspan, lifespan and aging. However, intensive lifestyle changes are rarely practical or sustainable. His lab discovered that many of the therapeutic effects of fasting are driven within the liver, the organ that meets and senses nutrients immediately as they are absorbed by intestines during a meal. Dr. DeBosch’ research will seek how he can harness the therapeutic effects of fasting and caloric restriction by examining the mechanisms by which the liver enables the adaptive fasting response.
