DR. CAROL HUANG

MD, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Pediatrics/Medical Science/Biochemistry Molecular Biology Division of Endocrinology

Research Interests: 

Our lab is interested in understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate beta cell mass and function, using pregnancy as the model.  We have found that intact prolactin receptor signaling is required for normal glucose homeostasis and beta cell mass expansion during pregnancy.  We will now examine 1) whether beta-cell neogenesis occurs during pregnancy, 2) what are the signalling pathways required for the increase in beta-cell mass during pregnancy, and 3) whether pregnancy hormones can improve glucose homeostasis in animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes, or the outcomes of islet transplantation. Another area of research is to delineate whether adipokines, hormones secreted by adipocyte, which affect whole body insulin sensitivity, also regulates pancreatic beta-cell mass and function. We also has clinical collaborations examining the relationship between adipokine, obesity, and risk of cardiovascular diseases in children with diabetes.

Personnel:

Recent Publications:

• Huang C, Snider F, and Cross JC.  Prolactin receptor is required for normal glucose homeostasis and modulation of beta-cell mass during pregnancy. Endocrinology 2009 Apr; 150(4): 1618-26.
• Huang C, Ho J and Pacaud D.  New paradigm: on the road to prevent type 1 diabetes. In: Type 1 Diabetes mellitus: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nova Science Publishers Inc, Hauppague, NY, 2009
• Ho J, Huang C, and Pacaud D. Management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children.  In: Type 1 Diabetes mellitus: Etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nova science Publishers Inc, Hauppague, NY, 2009

Contact Information:

The University of Calgary
Health Science Centre
Room 2281, 3330 Hospital Drive NW
Calgary, AB  T2N 4N1
Tel: (office) 210-3977
        (lab) 220-7243
Fax: 955-5001
email: Carol [dot] Huang [at] albertahealthservices [dot] ca