WAKI Hironori

写真a

Affiliation

Graduate School of Medicine  Doctorial Course in Medicine  Bioregulatory Medicine  Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology

Mail Address

E-mail address

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Research Interests 【 display / non-display 】

  • 遺伝子

  • 脂肪細胞

  • 内分泌

  • 代謝

  • 糖尿病

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Graduating School 【 display / non-display 】

  • 　
    -
    1997.03

    The University of Tokyo   Faculty of Medicine   Graduated

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Graduate School 【 display / non-display 】

  • 　
    -
    2003.03

    The University of Tokyo  Graduate School, Division of Medicine  Doctor's Course  Completed

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Campus Career 【 display / non-display 】

  • 2021.06
    -
    Now

    Akita University   Graduate School of Medicine   Doctorial Course in Medicine   Bioregulatory Medicine   Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology   Professor  

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External Career 【 display / non-display 】

  • 2019.09
    -
    2021.05

    Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo   Associate Professor  

  • 2018.11
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    2019.08

    Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo   Lecturer  

  • 2016.09
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    2018.10

    Department of Molecular Sciences on Diabetes, Graduate School of Medicine, the University of Tokyo   Project Associate Professor  

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Research Areas 【 display / non-display 】

  • Life Science / Molecular biology  / Molecular biology

  • Life Science / Nutrition science and health science

  • Life Science / Cell biology  / Cellular biology

  • Life Science / Genetics  / Genomics

  • Life Science / Metabolism and endocrinology  / Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases

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Research Achievements 【 display / non-display 】

    ◆Original paper【 display / non-display 】

  • Impact of Tirzepatide on diet-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cross-sectional study.

    Shunsuke Kato, Ayaka Kokita, Hana Akanuma, Shogo Iwamura, Yuya Takahashi, Ryota Kusumi, Sakiko Abe, Kana Sasaki, Hitomi Otomo, Sayaka Ando, Mitsuhiko Nara, Aiko Nara, Takenobu Tadika, Tatsunori Shimizu, Takehiro Sato, Tsukasa Morii, Hiroki Fujita, Daisuke Matsuda, Hironori Waki

    Diabetes research and clinical practice   229   112913 - 112913   2025.09  [Refereed]

    Research paper (journal)  

    AIMS: To explore how Tirzepatide (TZP) treatment influences diet-related quality of life (QoL) and thus treatment satisfaction. METHODS: This retrospective observational study analyzed 95 people with type 2 diabetes mellitus treated with TZP. We evaluated measurements before and after TZP treatment for clinical parameters (including BMI and HbA1c) and, via validated questionnaires, patient-reported treatment satisfaction and diet-related QoL (including the Diabetes Diet-Related Quality of Life-Revised 9 (DDRQOL-R-9)). We used Spearman correlations and multiple regression analyses to identify predictors of treatment satisfaction. RESULTS: TZP treatment led to significant reduction of median (7.4 % to 6.4 %) and body weight (77.2 kg to 70.6 kg). Median diet-related QoL, specifically the "perceived merits of dietary therapy", increased from 58.3 [IQR 50.0, 75.0] to 67.7 [50.0, 83.3] (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis identified changes in BMI (standardized β =  - 0.21, p = 0.030) and changes in diet-related QoL "perceived merits of dietary therapy" (β = 0.23, p = 0.019) as independent predictors of DTSQs scores post-TZP treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite TZP's appetite-suppressing effects, diet-related QoL, particularly the "perceived merits of dietary therapy", significantly increased with treatment, serving as an independent and substantial contributor to patient satisfaction, comparable to the impact of body weight reduction. (195 words).

    DOI PubMed

  • Efficacy of a Personalized Mobile Health Intervention (BedTime) to Increase Sleep Duration Among Short-Sleeping Patients With Type 2 Diabetes: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

    Yuki Ban, Kayo Waki, Ryohei Nakada, Akihiro Isogawa, Kengo Miyoshi, Hironori Waki, Shunsuke Kato, Hideaki Sawaki, Takashi Murata, Yushi Hirota, Shuichiro Saito, Seiji Nishikage, Atsuhito Tone, Mayumi Seno, Masao Toyoda, Shinichi Kajino, Kazuki Yokota, Yuya Tsurutani, Toshimasa Yamauchi, Masaomi Nangaku, Kazuhiko Ohe

    JMIR research protocols   14   e64023   2025.04

    Research paper (journal)  

    BACKGROUND: A strong association exists between sleep duration and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), yet convincing evidence of a causal link remains lacking. Improving sleep is increasingly emphasized in clinical T2D treatment guidance, highlighting the need for effective, scalable sleep interventions that can affordably serve large populations through mobile health (mHealth). OBJECTIVE: This study aims to pilot an intervention that extends sleep duration by modifying bedtime behavior, assessing its efficacy among short-sleeping (≤6 hours per night) patients with T2D, and establishing robust evidence that extending sleep improves glycemic control. METHODS: This randomized, single-blinded, multicenter study targets 70 patients with T2D from 9 institutions in Japan over a 12-week intervention period. The sleep extension intervention, BedTime, is developed using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and focuses on TPB's constructs of perceived and actual behavioral control (ABC). The pilot intervention combines wearable actigraphy devices with SMS text messaging managed by human operators. Both the intervention and control groups will use an actigraphy device to record bedtime, sleep duration, and step count, while time in bed (TIB) will be assessed via sleep diaries. In addition, the intervention group will receive weekly bedtime goals, daily feedback on their bedtime performance relative to those goals, identify personal barriers to an earlier bedtime, and select strategies to overcome these barriers. The 12-week intervention period will be followed by a 12-week observational period to assess the sustainability of the intervention's effects. The primary outcome is the between-group difference in the change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) at 12 weeks. Secondary outcomes include other health measures, sleep metrics (bedtime, TIB, sleep duration, total sleep time, and sleep quality), behavioral changes, and assessments of the intervention's usability. The trial commenced on February 8, 2024, and is expected to conclude in February 2025. RESULTS: Patient recruitment ended on August 29, 2024, with 70 participants enrolled. The intervention period concluded on December 6, 2024, and the observation period ended on February 26, 2025, with 70 participants completing the observation period. The data analysis is currently underway, and results are expected to be published in July 2025. CONCLUSIONS: This trial will provide important evidence on the causal link between increased sleep duration and improved glycemic control in short-sleeping patients with T2D. It will also evaluate the efficacy of our bedtime behavior change intervention in extending sleep duration, initially piloted with human operators, with the goal of future implementation via an mHealth smartphone app. If proven effective, this intervention could be a key step toward integrating sleep-focused mHealth into the standard treatment for patients with T2D in Japan. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Japan Registry of Clinical Trials jRCT1030230650; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/latest-detail/jRCT1030230650. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/64023.

    DOI PubMed

  • Immune checkpoint inhibitor restores daily function in patient with microsatellite instability (MSI)-high advanced endometrial cancer and poor performance status

    Ayaka Matsui, Taichi Yoshida, Yuya Takahashi, Koji Fukuda, Kazuhiro Shimazu, Daiki Taguchi, Hanae Shinozaki, Naoaki Kodama, Shunsuke Kato, Hironori Waki, Hiroshi Nanjo, Hiroyuki Shibata

    International Cancer Conference Journal ( Springer Science and Business Media LLC )    2025.02  [Refereed]

    Research paper (journal)  

    Abstract

    The immune checkpoint system suppresses T-cell activity. Unlike cytotoxic anticancer drugs that directly kill cells, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are generally safer by stimulating tumor immunity. However, most clinical trials require patients to have a better performance status (PS), leaving limited evidence for those with poorer PS. In practice, patients may be classified with poor PS due to tumor-induced pain and motor dysfunction, even if major organs remain functional. Real-world data on non-small cell lung cancer has shown no safety difference between patients with PS 3/4 and those with lower PS. Approximately 20–30% of endometrial cancer cases show microsatellite instability-high (MSI-high), the highest among common malignancies. A 46-year-old patient with advanced, recurrent endometrial cancer resistant to standard chemotherapy, and PS of 4 from severe pelvic pain, was diagnosed with MSI-high. Pembrolizumab was initiated and continued for 19 courses, after which lesions had disappeared or calcified, leading to drug discontinuation. Now, 4 and a half years post-treatment, she has regained independent mobility and returned to work, and her PS has improved to approximately 1. Side effects included Grade 2 or lower thyroiditis, hypothyroidism, and hypoadrenalism, manageable with hormone replacement therapy and temporary pembrolizumab suspension. This case underscores the need to test for MSI-high/mismatch repair deficiency in endometrial cancer and to consider ICI therapy in patients with poor PS but no major organ dysfunction. In such cases, ICI can rapidly improve overall condition, a phenomenon known as a Lazarus-type response, as seen in other cancers such as non-small cell lung cancer.

    DOI

  • GLP-1 receptor signaling restores aquaporin 4 subcellular polarization in reactive astrocytes and promotes amyloid β clearance in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

    Kana Sasaki, Hiroki Fujita, Takehiro Sato, Shunske Kato, Yuya Takahashi, Yukio Takeshita, Takashi Kanda, Takashi Saito, Takamori C Saido, Satoko Hattori, Yasukazu Hozumi, Yuichiro Yamada, Hironori Waki

    Biochemical and biophysical research communications   741   151016 - 151016   2024.11

    Research paper (journal)  

    The physiological actions of a gut hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain remain poorly understood, although GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) expression in this organ has been shown in several experimental studies. Therefore, we explored whether the GLP-1R signaling promotes the clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) (1-42) which is a core pathological hallmark of AD, focusing on the water channel protein aquaporin 4 (AQP4) localized to astrocyte endfeet perivascular membranes in intact brain. First, we confirmed that Glp1r mRNA is predominantly expressed at perivascular site of astrocytes in normal mouse cerebral cortex through in situ hybridization analysis. Next, we observed that 20-week subcutaneous administration of a GLP-1R agonist (GLP-1RA) liraglutide significantly reduced Aβ (1-42) accumulation in the cerebral cortex and improved spatial working memory in an AD mouse model, AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice. Furthermore, our current data revealed that the 4-week liraglutide treatment relocalized subcellular AQP4 in morphologically injured reactive astrocytes of AppNL-G-F/NL-G-F mice to the cell surface perivascular site through PKA-mediated AQP4 phosphorylation. Such translocation of phosphorylated AQP4 to astrocyte cell surface following incubation with liraglutide was observed also in the present in vitro study using the cell line in which AQP4 cDNA was introduced into immortalized human astrocyte. These results suggest that enhanced intracerebral GLP-1R signaling following peripheral administration of GLP-1RA restores AQP4 subcellular polarization in reactive astrocytes and would promote Aβ excretion possibly through increasing AQP4-mediated intracerebral water flux in the brain in AD.

    DOI PubMed

  • Transcription factor PATZ1 promotes adipogenesis by controlling promoter regulatory loci of adipogenic factors.

    Sanil Patel, Khatanzul Ganbold, Chung Hwan Cho, Juwairriyyah Siddiqui, Ramazan Yildiz, Njeri Sparman, Shani Sadeh, Christy M Nguyen, Jiexin Wang, Julian P Whitelegge, Susan K Fried, Hironori Waki, Claudio J Villanueva, Marcus M Seldin, Shinya Sakaguchi, Wilfried Ellmeier, Peter Tontonoz, Prashant Rajbhandari

    Nature communications   15 ( 1 ) 8533 - 8533   2024.10  [Refereed]

    Research paper (journal)  

    White adipose tissue (WAT) is essential for lipid storage and systemic energy homeostasis. Understanding adipocyte formation and stability is key to developing therapies for obesity and metabolic disorders. Through a high-throughput cDNA screen, we identified PATZ1, a POZ/BTB and AT-Hook Containing Zinc Finger 1 protein, as an important adipogenic transcription factor. PATZ1 is expressed in human and mouse adipocyte precursor cells (APCs) and adipocytes. In cellular models, PATZ1 promotes adipogenesis via protein-protein interactions and DNA binding. PATZ1 ablation in mouse adipocytes and APCs leads to a reduced APC pool, decreased fat mass, and hypertrophied adipocytes. ChIP-Seq and RNA-seq analyses show that PATZ1 supports adipogenesis by interacting with transcriptional machinery at the promoter regions of key early adipogenic factors. Mass-spec results show that PATZ1 associates with GTF2I, with GTF2I modulating PATZ1's function during differentiation. These findings underscore PATZ1's regulatory role in adipocyte differentiation and adiposity, offering insights into adipose tissue development.

    DOI PubMed

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    ◆Introduction and explanation【 display / non-display 】

  • Diabetes Care and Communication Considerate of Obesity Stigma

    Hironori Waki

    Diabetes in the News (DITN)   508   8 - 8   2025.09

    Introduction and explanation (scientific journal)  

  • New Developments in Obesity Prevention and Treatment

    Hironori Waki

    Official Journal of Japan Society of Ningen Dock and Preventive Medical Care   40 ( 3 ) 7 - 14   2025.09

    Introduction and explanation (scientific journal)  

  • Editorial, Advances in Type 2 Diabetes Treatment - Evolving Treatment Strategies and Current Approaches

    Hironori Waki

    Journal of the Japanese Society of Internal Medicine   114 ( 4 ) 607 - 609   2025.04

    Introduction and explanation (scientific journal)  

  • New Developments in Obesity Treatment: Global Trends and Where We Are Now in Japan

    Hironori Waki

    Journal of Japan Society for the Study of Obesity   31 ( 1 ) 1 - 2   2025.04

    Introduction and explanation (scientific journal)  

  • The Latest Science of Fat Cells

    Hironori Waki

    Medical View Point ( Iji Publishing Co., Ltd. )  44 ( 9 ) 6 - 6   2023.09

    Introduction and explanation (commerce magazine)  

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    ◆Other【 display / non-display 】

  • Unraveling the differentiation and function of white, beige, and brown adipocytes

    小木田彩香, 脇裕典

    日本臨床   83   2025

    J-GLOBAL

  • A Comprehensive Survey on Treatment, Care, and Lifestyle Experiences among Japanese Individuals With Diabetes

    Ihana-Sugiyama Noriko, Wakui-Kimura Akiko, Sugiyama Takehiro, Imai Kenjiro, Hosono Tomoko, Hotta Hiroko, Yamamoto Kouko, Aihara Masakazu, Aoyama Tomohisa, Sasako Takayoshi, Waki Hironori, Ohsugi Mitsuru, Ueki Kohjiro, Yamauchi Toshimasa

    Journal of the Japan Diabetes Society ( THE JAPAN DIABETES SOCIETY )  67 ( 11 ) 476 - 488   2024.11

    <p>Understanding the perspectives of patients with diabetes is crucial for accurately identifying important points for improving medical care and policies. In this study, we conducted a self-reported survey on experiences related to diabetes medical care and daily life, analyzing the results from 1,099 people with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and 1,436 people with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Over 90 % chose "physicians" as their primary consultants for diabetes at medical institutions, with a minority choosing non-doctors. The rate of treatment discontinuation was 3.2 % for T1DM and 8.7 % for T2DM due to a lack of understanding of the importance of treatment and financial constraints. Factors prompting a return to treatment were interactions with healthcare professionals, such as being called in and worsening health conditions. The proportion of patients who felt "heavily burdened" by medical costs was 33.8 % for T1DM and 13.4 % for T2DM. There was a higher rate of perceived societal prejudice against diabetes in younger patients and patients with T1DM, with 21.9 % of T1DM and 12.0 % of T2DM patients, indicating that prejudice exists among healthcare providers. There is a need for multidisciplinary involvement of patients and discussions to address specific challenges. Addressing the prejudice felt by patients should be a priority, starting with healthcare providers.</p>

    DOI CiNii Research

  • Vision Transformer–based Tinea Unguium Classification Approach Using Foot Images

    Miura Kakeru, Zou Min, Sato Takehiro, Waki Hironori, Kageyama Yoichi

    Proceedings of IIAE Annual Conference ( The Institute of Industrial Applications Engineers )  2024 ( 0 ) 67 - 68   2024

    DOI CiNii Research

  • CNN-SVM-Based Tinea Unguium Classification Approach to Telemedicine System

    Miura Kakeru, Zou Min, Sato Takehiro, Waki Hironori, Kageyama Yoichi

    Proceedings of IIAE Annual Conference ( The Institute of Industrial Applications Engineers )  2023 ( 0 ) 23 - 24   2023

    In recent years, the number of patients with diabetes mellitus has increased. Moreover, the prevalence of diabetes among older age groups in Japan is notably higher, indicating a growing proportion of patients with diabetes. Diabetic foot complications manifests in some patients with diabetes mellitus; hence, timely identification of the symptoms associated with diabetic feet is crucial for preventing severe complications. It is imperative for patients to observe their feet regularly; however, recognizing diabetic foot symptoms can be challenging for individuals without medical expertise owing to the variability of such symptoms. In this study, we focused on tinea unguium as a case type and utilized machine learning to classify images of tinea unguium and normal feet. The evaluation results showed that the combination of ResNet-50 and a support vector machine yielded the best performance when applied to a dataset of the acquired images of the nail regions the feet.

    DOI CiNii Research

  • CNN-SVM-Based Tinea Unguium Classification Approach to Telemedicine System

    三浦翔流, ZOU Min, 佐藤雄大, 脇裕典, 景山陽一

    産業応用工学会全国大会講演論文集(Web)   2023   2023

    J-GLOBAL

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Books 【 display / non-display 】

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Academic Awards Received 【 display / non-display 】

  • Young Investigator Award

    2017.10   The Japan Society of Diabetic Complications   Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in adipocytes and its significance in glucose, lipid and energy homeostasis

    Winner： Hironori Waki

  • Society Award

    2017.09   The Japanese Constitutional Medicine   Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in adipocytes and its significance in life-style diseases

    Winner： Hironori Waki

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Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research 【 display / non-display 】

  • Integrated understanding of the regulation of energy metabolism by NFIA and treatment strategies for obesity

    Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(C)

    Project Year： 2024.04  -  2027.03 

  • Epigenetic Regulation of Adipocyte Progenitor Cells

    Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)

    Project Year： 2021.07  -  2023.03  Investigator(s): Waki Hironori

  • Epigenetic Regulation of Adipocyte Progenitor Cells

    Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)

    Project Year： 2021.07  -  2023.03  Investigator(s): Waki Hironori

  • Epigenetic Regulation of Adipocyte Progenitor Cells

    Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)

    Project Year： 2021.07  -  2023.03  Investigator(s): Waki Hironori

  • Epigenetic Regulation of Adipocyte Progenitor Cells

    Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Research (Exploratory)

    Project Year： 2021.07  -  2023.03  Investigator(s): Waki Hironori

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Presentations 【 display / non-display 】

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Academic Activity 【 display / non-display 】

  • Akita University Hospital

    2025.04
    -
    Now

    Director of Medical Safety Management

  • Japan Association for Diabetes Education and Care

    2024.04
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    Now

    Deligate

  • Akita Univeristy Hospital

    2024.04
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    Now

    Deputy Hospital Director

  • Japan Society for the Study of Obesity

    2024.03
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    Now

    Education Committee Members

  • The Japan Society for the Study of Obesity

    2024.03
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    Now

    Auditor

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Lifelong learning support results 【 display / non-display 】

  • The University of Tokyo Hospital, diabetes patient advocacy group "Kakehashi"

    Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, the University of Tokyo Hospital 

    2009.02
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    2021.05

  • The University of Tokyo Hospital, type 1 and mitochondrial diabetes patient advocacy group "Himawari"

    Department of Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, the University of Tokyo Hospital 

    2009.02
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    2021.05

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Media Report 【 display / non-display 】

  • Stigma is an obstacle in the treatment of obesity - Hopes for new drugs

    Medical News Topics

  • Prevention of complications of diabetes

    First Saturday of each month: from 17:25 to 17:30 Akita Broadcasting System (ABS) First Sunday of each month: from 17:25 to 17:30 Akita Asahi Broadcasting (AAB) Second Saturday of each month: from 13:55 to 14:00 Akita Television (AKT)

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