Endocrinology and Nephrology

Diabetes and Metabolism

Rafael Simó

Researchers
Cristina Hernández Pascual (PI), David Martínez Selva (PI), Josep A Villena Delgado (PI), Patricia Mónica Bogdanov , Andreea Ciudin , Marta García Ramírez, Albert Lecube Torello, Jorge Mesa Manteca, Carles Zafon Llopis

Researchers in training
Lidia Corraliza Márquez, Cristina Sáez Lopez, Cristina Solà Adell, Olga Simó Servat

Nursing, technical and administrative staff
Lorena Ramos Pérez, Eila Van Reck Nofre

SUMMARY

Our research is addressed towards gaining new insights in the pathogenesis and treatment of prevalent diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Our combination of basic and clinical research is important not also in obtaining relevant results, but also in facilitating the rapid transference of these results to clinical practice.

It should be noted that we are coordinating the first clinical trial using eye drops for the treatment of the early stages of DR. In addition, we are developing a new score system to better identify type 2 diabetic patients at risk of ischemic events and worse outcomes. Finally, we are evaluating the usefulness of the assessment of retinal neurodegeneration to identify diabetic patients at risk for developing Alzheimer disease (“the eye as a window of brain disease”).

PUBLICATIONS

Total 17.
Impact Factor 80.701
Average I.F. 4.747

  • Neurodegeneration in the diabetic eye: new insights and therapeutic perspectives.
    Simó R, Hernández C; European Consortium for the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (EUROCONDOR).
    Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2014;25:23-33.
    FI: 8.868
  • The db/db mouse: a useful model for the study of diabetic retinal neurodegeneration.
    Bogdanov P, Corraliza L, A Villena J, Carvalho AR, Garcia-Arumí J, Ramos D, Ruberte J, Simó R, Hernández C.
    PLoS One. 2014;9(5):e97302.
    FI: 3,534
  • Glycogen storage in the human retinal pigment epithelium: a comparative study of diabetic and non-diabetic donors.
    Hernández C, García-Ramírez M, García-Rocha M, Sáez-López C, Valverde AM, Guinovart JJ, Simó R.
    Acta Diabetol. 2014;51(4):543-52
    FI: 3,679
  • Thyroid Hormone Upregulates Zinc-α2-glycoprotein Production in the Liver but Not in Adipose Tissue.
    Simó R, Hernández C, Sáez-López C, Soldevila B, Puig-Domingo M, Selva DM
    PLoS One. 2014;9(1):e85753
    FI: 3,534
  • Adiponectin upregulates SHBG production: molecular mechanisms and potential implications.
    Simó R, Saez-Lopez C, Lecube A, Hernández C, Fort JM, Selva DM.
    Endocrinology. 2014;155(8):2820-30.
    FI: 4,644

 

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MAIN RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • Project: European Consortium for the Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy (EUROCONDOR). Neurodegeneration as an early event in the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Retinopathy: A multicentric, prospective, phase II-III, open randomized controlled trial to assess the efficacy of neuroprotective drugs administered topically to prevent or arrest Diabetic Retinopathy
    Funding organisation: 7th Framework Programme
    Application number: FP7-278040-2
    Start date 2012 finish date 2016
    Project coordinator: Rafael Simó
  • Project: Retinal Neurodegeneration in Type 2 diabetes as biomarker for Alzheimer´s disease.
    Funding organization: European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)
    Reference: EFSD/Lilly-Mental Health and Diabetes Programme
    Start date: 2014 finish date: 2015
    Principal investigator: Cristina Hernández
  • Project: Neuroprotection for Diabetic Retinopahty: a New Therapeutic Strategy
    Funding organisation: Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad
    Application number: SAF 2012-35562
    Start date 2012 finish date 2015
    Principal investigator Rafael Simó
  • Project: Mecanismos que regulan la expresión de la SHBG en la obesidad y en la distribución de la grasa corporal inducida por dieta: implicaciones terapéuticas.
    Funding organisation: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad. Instituto de Salud Carlos III
    Reference number: PI12/01357
    Start date 2013 finish date 2016
    Principal Investigator: David M. Selva
  • Project: Preventing cardiovascular ischemic events and arresting their consequences in type 2 diabetic population: a multidisciplinary clinical and experimental approach.
    Funding organisation: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad
    Application number: PIE13/00027
    Start date: 2013 finish date: 2016
    Coordinator: D. García-Dorado
    Principal investigator: Rafael Simó

 

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PATENTS

  • Title: Péptido derivado de SOCS1 para su uso en complicaciones crónicas de la diabetes
    Inventors: Jesús Egido, Carmen Gómez, Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández
    Patent Office: Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM)
    Application number: P201430796
    Date of registration: 28/05/2014
    Applicant / exploitation institution: Fundación Jiménez Diaz, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid y Vall d’Hebron Research Institute
  • Title: Sex-hormone-binding globulin for use as medicament
    Inventors: David Martínez-Selva, Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández, Anna Barbosa, Cristina Sáez
    Patent Office: Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM)
    Application number: EP13382202.3. WO 2014/191542 (A1)
    Date of registration: 30/05/2013
    Applicant / exploitation institution: Vall d’Hebron Research Institute
  • Title: Peptides for use in the topical treatment of retinal neurodegenerative diseases, in particular in early stages of diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases in which neurodegeneration plays an essential role
    Inventors: Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández
    Patent Office: Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM)
    Application number: PCT/EP2014/053787. WO 2014/131815 A1
    Date of registration: 01/03/2013
    Applicant / exploitation institution: Vall d’Hebron Research Institute
  • Title: Antibodies or fragments thereof for use in the treatment of ocular diseases
    Inventors: Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández
    Patent Office: Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM)
    Application number: PCT/EP2013/058836. WO 2013/164290 A2
    Date of registration: 30/04/2012
    Applicant / exploitation institution: Vall d’Hebron Research Institute
  • Title: Formulación Tópica oftálmica de péptidos
    Inventors: Rafael Simó, Cristina Hernández, Jimena Fernández, Marc Gómez, Ribera Jordana, Josep Farrera, Berta Ponsati.
    Patent Office: Oficina Española de Patentes y Marcas (OEPM)
    Application number: P200931242
    Date of registration: 22/12/2009
    Date of grant: 18/06/2012 (ES2362604)
    Applicant / exploitation institution: BCN Peptides S.A.