Savitha Subramanian, MD
Title:
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Metabolism, Endocrinology and Nutrition
Email Address:
Background:
Dr. Subramanian received her medical degree from Stanley Medical College in Chennai (Madras), India in 1997. She completed a residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign in 2002. After completing an Endocrinology fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis in 2004, she moved to the University of Washington for a post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Dr. Alan Chait. Since 2006, Dr. Subramanian has also been involved in clinical teaching and patient care responsibilities at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Focus:
My research focuses on studying the role of inflammation in adipose tissue in obesity using mouse models, such as the LDL receptor deficient mouse, a model of the metabolic syndrome. Using this model we study the impact of components of the metabolic syndrome such as visceral obesity, insulin resistance and inflammation on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We are currently also using this mouse model to study the effects of fat accumulation in the liver (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) and the role of hepatic inflammation in insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. A second area of interest is the role of the nutrient sensor molecule mTOR in adipose tissue in obesity. mTOR is important in longevity, a condition associated with improved insulin sensitivity. I am currently involved in studying the role of inhibiting mTOR using mouse models and dietary interventions to study the role of this complex molecule in obesity and insulin resistance.
Representative Publications:
Subramanian S, DeRosa M, Bernal-Mizrachi C, Laffely N, Cade WT, Yarasheski K, Cryer PE, Semenkovich CF. PPARα activation elevates blood pressure and does not correct glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance in humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 291:E1365-1371, 2006.
Han CY, Subramanian S, Chan CK, Omer M, Chiba T, Wight T, Chait A. Adipocyte-derived serum amyloid A3 and hyaluronan play a role in monocyte recruitment and adhesion. Diabetes 56:2260-2273, 2007.
Subramanian S, Han CY, Chiba TC, McMillen T, Wang SA, Haw A, O’Brien KD, Chait A. Dietary cholesterol worsens adipose tissue macrophage accumulation and atherosclerosis in obese LDL receptor-deficient mice. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 28:685-691, 2008.
Subramanian S, Chait A. The effect of dietary cholesterol on macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue: implications for the artery wall. Curr Opin Lipidol 20:39-44, 2009.
Current Collaborations:
Within the Diabetes and Obesity Center of Excellence and its Affiliated Members
Alan Chait, MD
Francis Kim, MD
Renee LeBoeuf, PhD
Outside the Diabetes and Obesity Center of Excellence
Kevin O’Brien, MD, University of Washington
Catherine Reardon, PhD, University of Chicago