Weizhen Zhang

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor United States of America

Weizhen Zhang is a professor of Physiology. Dr. Zhang received his bachelor’s degree in Medicine from Sun Yat-sen University in 1987 and PhD degree from Peking University in 1994. Dr. Zhang has published over 100 peer-reviewed papers in journals such as PNAS, Diabetes, Diabetologia, Endocrinology, and Molecular Endocrinology. Other recognitions include 10 book chapters, 20 professorships, 30 invited presentations, ad hoc reviewer for over 30 peer-reviewed journals, editorial board members of 6 peer-reviewed journals, and standing members of grant review committees such as NSFC and ADA. Dr. Zhang’s research focuses on defining the mechanisms that underlie fuel sensing in the gastrointestinal tract and how the fuel sensor in GI tract coordinates the whole-body energy status to control energy metabolism.

1books edited

2chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Weizhen Zhang

Gluconeogenesis, the metabolic process through which glucose or glycogen is synthesized from noncarbohydrate substrates, is critical for maintaining the plasma glucose level within a narrow range either in the fed or fasting (nutritional deprivation) state. Dysregulation of this pathway usually causes severe or even fatal outcomes. This book discusses a series of up-to-date topics about this critical process, including the fundamental biochemical reactions of glucose metabolism, the glucogenesis process in eukaryotic cells using the Dictyostelium discoideum as a model, the role of "gut-brain-liver axis" in the control of glucose homeostasis, and the new mathematic model for the monitoring and prediction of blood glucose. This book is written by international scientists with expertise in the study of gluconeogenesis. By presenting a clear and succinct review of the fundamentals of gluconeogenesis, it is expected to draw more attentions and stimulate more scientists to dedicate their researches in revealing the mechanism and its application of gluconeogenesis.

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Gluconeogenesis

Edited by Weizhen Zhang

Chapters authored

Ghrelin, a Gastric Hormone with Diverse Functions

By Ziru Li, Jie Luo, Yin Li and Weizhen Zhang

Part of the book: Chemical Biology

Hormonal Regulation of Cholesterol Homeostasis

By Zhuo Mao, Jinghui Li and Weizhen Zhang

Cholesterol homeostasis is tightly regulated by a group of endocrine hormones under physiological conditions. Hormonal dysregulation is often associated with disturbed cholesterol homeostasis, resulting in many clinical disorders including atherosclerosis, fatty liver and metabolic syndrome. Circulating hormones regulate cholesterol metabolism by altering levels of relative genes either through their interactions with nuclear receptors or by interfering with bile acid signaling pathways. A better understanding of hormonal regulation of cholesterol metabolism would improve our likelihood of identifying effective and selective targets for the intervention of disturbed cholesterol. In this review, we discuss selected hormones critical for the cholesterol balance, including thyroid hormone, sex hormones, growth hormone, glucagon and irisin. We focus our discussion on the most recent advance in clinical epidemiology, animal mechanistic studies and the clinical application.

Part of the book: Cholesterol

Weizhen Zhang

Latest work with IntechOpen by Weizhen Zhang

Gluconeogenesis

Chapters authored

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