Byung-wan Lee
Yonsei University · Medicine
About the Lab
Professor Byung-wan Lee's research lab focuses on metabolic diseases, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), insulin resistance, and the molecular mechanisms underlying hepatosteatosis. The lab investigates the roles of key regulators such as SIRT1, AMPK, and autophagy in metabolic homeostasis, with a strong emphasis on how pharmacological agents like metformin and dietary interventions such as caloric restriction or intermittent fasting modulate these pathways. Current research also explores the intersection of NAFLD with sarcopenia and cardiovascular risk, aiming to identify non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The lab integrates preclinical models, cell culture systems, and large-scale population-based data to translate molecular insights into clinical applications.
Research Overview
Research Output Trend
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Selected Papers
15Metformin activates both PRKA and SIRT1. Furthermore, autophagy is induced by either the PRKA-MTOR-ULK1 or SIRT1-FOXO signaling pathways. We aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which metformin alleviates hepatosteatosis by examining the molecular interplay between SIRT1, PRKA, and autophagy. ob/ob mice were divided into 3 groups: one with ad libitum feeding of a standard chow diet, one with 300 mg/kg intraperitoneal metformin injections, and one with 3 g/d caloric restriction (CR) for a period o
The effects of an intermittent fasting diet (IFD) in the general population are still controversial. In this study, we aimed to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of an IFD to reduce body mass index and glucose metabolism in the general population without diabetes mellitus. Cochrane, PubMed, and Embase databases were searched to identify randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials that compared an IFD with a regular diet or a continuous calorie restriction diet. The effect
OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and sarcopenia have a close association with an increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). This study investigated the influence of NAFLD and sarcopenia on ASCVD risk. METHODS: Data from the 2008-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys database were analyzed (n = 7,191). The sarcopenia index was calculated using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined as the lowest quintile sarcopen
Metformin is known to alleviate hepatosteatosis by inducing 5' adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-kinase-independent, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)-mediated autophagy. Dysfunctional mitophagy in response to glucolipotoxicities might play an important role in hepatosteatosis. Here, we investigated the mechanism by which metformin induces mitophagy through restoration of the suppressed Parkin-mediated mitophagy. To this end, our ob/ob mice were divided into three groups: (1) ad libitum feeding of a standard chow d
This clinical practice position statement, a product of the Fatty Liver Research Group of the Korean Diabetes Association, proposes recommendations for the diagnosis, progression and/or severity assessment, management, and follow-up of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with both T2DM and NAFLD have an increased risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetic comp
BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic disorder. In Singapore, it is estimated that 140,000 individuals have current asthma and more than 100 individuals die of this disease annually. OBJECTIVE: This study estimates the economic cost of asthma, both direct and indirect, to the patient and community. METHOD: Direct cost estimates were based on all levels of medical care, which included inpatient care, emergency room visits, specialist outpatient and primary healthcare, and medication costs. Indir
Induction of autophagy is known not only to regulate cellular homeostasis but also to decrease triglyceride accumulation in hepatocytes. The aim of this study is to investigate whether DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) has a beneficial role in free fatty acid-induced hepatic fat accumulation. In HepG2 cells, treatment with 0.5 mM palmitate for six hours significantly increased lipid and triglyceride (TG) accumulation, assessed by Oil-red O staining and TG quantification assay. Treatment with 0.01% DMSO
This clinical practice position statement, a product of the Fatty Liver Research Group of the Korean Diabetes Association, proposes recommendations for the diagnosis, progression and/or severity assessment, management, and follow-up of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Patients with both T2DM and NAFLD have an increased risk of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and fibrosis and a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetic comp
Activation of the receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (RAGE) by its ligands leads to cellular damage contributing to diabetic complications. It is not clearly known whether RAGE ligands influence pancreatic β-cells. In this study, we investigated the expression of RAGE in islet cells and the effect of RAGE ligands, S100b and HMG-1, on islet cells. RAGE was expressed in INS-1 cells and isolated rat and human islets at mRNA and protein levels. RAGE and its ligand, S100b, were detected on i
Increased EAT thickness assessed by CMR is an independent risk factor for significant coronary artery stenosis in asymptomatic type 2 diabetes. However, EAT thickness was not associated with silent myocardial ischemia.
Recently, several renal tubular damage markers have gained considerable attention because of their clinical implications as sensitive and specific biomarkers for early stage diabetic kidney disease. However, little is known about the demographic and glucometabolic factors affecting levels of urinary N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), a marker of proximal tubular damage, in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of urinary NAG with regard
Research Areas
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