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Dr Nigel Hoggard

Research Interests

The group's research interests are in the fundamental mechanisms involved in the regulation of energy balance and body weight, and to determine how dysregulation leads to obesity and its associated pathologies. In particular we study the endocrine and physiological role of factors secreted by adipose tissue. A combination of in vivo and cell culture approaches is employed, integrating molecular and protein techniques into whole-organism physiology.

In particular we are currently interested in how leptin insensitivity, a key hormone involved in energy balance may lead to the develop of obesity and in particular its associated pathologies. We are examining how circulating AgRP and alpha MSH, key hormones involved in the central regulation of obesity perturb the leptin-signalling axis. The mechanisms involved in the loss of appetite following vertical banded gastroplasty, which are associated with the dramatic weight loss observed in these individuals, as a potential therapy for weight loss without the surgical intervention.

Highlighted Publications

Inhibin betaB expression in murine adipose tissue and its regulation by leptin, insulin and dexamethasone.Hoggard N, Cruickshank M, Moar KM, Barrett P, Bashir S, Miller JD.J Mol Endocrinol. 2009 Oct;43(4):171-7.

Intra-specific variation in resting metabolic rate in MF1 mice is not associated with membrane lipid desaturation in the liver.Haggerty C, Hoggard N, Brown DS, Clapham JC, Speakman JR.Mech Ageing Dev. 2008 Mar;129(3):129-37.

Chronic central administration of apelin-13 over 10 days increases food intake, body weight, locomotor activity and body temperature in C57BL/6 mice.Valle A, Hoggard N, Adams AC, Roca P, Speakman JR.?Neuroendocrinol. 2008 Jan;20(1):79-84.

Expression of neuromedin B in adipose tissue and its regulation by changes in energy balance.Hoggard N, Bashir S, Cruickshank M, Miller JD, Speakman JR.J Mol Endocrinol. 2007 Sep;39(3):199-210.

Developmental control of plasma leptin and adipose leptin messenger ribonucleic acid in the ovine fetus during late gestation: role of glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones.O'Connor DM, Blache D, Hoggard N, Brookes E, Wooding FB, Fowden AL, Forhead AJ.Endocrinology. 2007 Aug;148(8):3750-7. Epub 2007 May 10.