Research Interests

​During my specialization training, my research interest has focused on the treatment of metabolically unhealthy obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and in particular on the metabolic effects of nutritional ketosis. In the TVP lab, I am studying how human immune cells handle pro-inflammatory lipid challenges and to what extent this process can predict the development of obesity-related complications. My ultimate goal is to identify subjects at higher risk among patients suffering from obesity.

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Publications

Watanabe M, Risi R, Camajani E, et al. Baseline homa IR and circulating FGF21 levels predict NAFLD improvement in patients undergoing a low carbohydrate dietary intervention for weight loss: A prospective observational pilot study. Nutrients. 2020;12(7):1-13. doi:10.3390/nu12072141

Watanabe M, Tozzi R, Risi R, et al. Beneficial effects of the ketogenic diet on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A comprehensive review of the literature. Obes Rev. 2020;21(8). doi:10.1111/obr.13024

Watanabe M, Singhal G, Fisher FM, et al. (among authors: Risi R) Liver-derived FGF21 is essential for full adaptation to ketogenic diet but does not regulate glucose homeostasis. Endocrine. 2020;67(1):95- 108. doi:10.1007/s12020-019-02124-3

Watanabe M, Risi R, De Giorgi F, et al. Obesity treatment within the Italian national healthcare system tertiary care centers: what can we learn? Eat Weight Disord. 2020. doi:10.1007/s40519- 020-00936-1

Basciani S, Camajani E, Contini S, et al. (among authors: Risi R) Very-low-calorie ketogenic diets with whey, vegetable, or animal protein in patients with obesity: A randomized pilot study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020;105(9):1-11. doi:10.1210/clinem/dgaa336

Watanabe M, Caruso D, Tuccinardi D, et al. (among authors: Risi R) Visceral fat shows the strongest association with the need of intensive Care in Patients with COVID-19. Metabolism. 2020:154319. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2020.154319

Watanabe M, Risi R, Masi D, et al. Current evidence to propose different food supplements for weight loss: A comprehensive review. Nutrients. 2020;12(9):1-43. doi:10.3390/nu12092873

Risi R, Tuccinardi D, Mariani S, et al. Liver disease in obesity and underweight: the two sides of the coin. A narrative review. Eat Weight Disord. 2020 Nov 4. doi: 10.1007/s40519-020- 01060-w.

Risi R, Masieri, S, Poggiogalle E, et al. Nickel Sensitivity Is Associated with GH-IGF1 Axis Impairment and Pituitary Abnormalities on MRI in Overweight and Obese Subjects. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 9733

Watanabe M, Balena A, Tuccinardi D, et al. (among authors: Risi R)  Central obesity, smoking habit, and hypertension are associated with lower antibody titres in response to COVID-19 mRNA vaccine. Diabetes Metab Res Rev. 2021;10.1002/dmrr.3465.