González Rodríguez, Águeda

The research group leaded by Dr. Águeda González Rodríguez involves basic and clinical researchers who actively collaborate to develop a high-level translational research focused on the study of metabolic syndrome and liver diseases. The core research line of the group is based on the identification and characterization of new molecular targets involved in the pathogenesis of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with special emphasis on the study of the mechanisms responsible for the progression of liver disease from the initial stage of simple steatosis until the appearance of steatohepatitis and fibrosis. Regarding hypoxia, one of the research lines of the laboratory is to identify new molecular targets involved in the liver damage induced by intermittent hypoxia, which could be useful as direct biomarkers for a non-invasive diagnosis of NAFLD. Other research line is focused on the study of the association between chronic respiratory diseases and the appearance of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders, determining possible factors (degree of systemic inflammation and grade of hypoxia, among others) involved for this link.