ACADEMIC STAFF (PS)

Panan Suntornsaratoon

Dr. Panan Suntornsaratoon

E-mail: panan.sun@mahidol.ac.th, (66)-2201-5

Education

Postdoctoral fellow at Rutgers University, New Jersey Medical School, NJ, USA, 2022
Ph.D. (Physiology) (Dean's list), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 2014
M.Sc. (Physiology), Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, 2009
B.Sc. (Biology) (First class honors), Srinakarinwirot University, 2005

Research Interests

My research investigates the pathologies arising from metabolic disturbances, particularly those induced by high-fat, high-sugar, or high-sodium diets. These dietary patterns can lead to hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and calcium dysregulation, ultimately contributing to osteoporosis.

Furthermore, I explore the therapeutic potential of anti-diabetic drugs and herbal extracts in mitigating these metabolic disturbances and restoring calcium homeostasis, thereby improving bone health.

In addition to these studies, I also investigate the effects of mechanical loading on osteoblast and osteoclast function, employing mechanosensitive ion channel mimetics under simulated microgravity conditions.
These studies encompass a range of experimental models, from cell cultures (2 and 3 dimensions) and organ baths to in vivo animal studies. We utilize diverse techniques, including high-resolution microCT, synchrotron-based X-ray analyses (FT-IR, XTM, SAXS), multi-omics approaches (transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics), confocal microscopy, clinostats, and organ baths, among others.

Research highlights

A novel Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)-regulated, dietary tryptophan-dependent production of methylnicotinamide (MNA) protects the gut barrier against colitis.

Current projects (Principal Investigator)

1. Fibroblast growth factor-21 and running exercise for the treatment of metabolic syndrome, and effects on intestinal calcium transport and bone microstructure in high-fat fed C57BL/6 mice – MU’s Strategic Research Fund

2. Anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive and osteogenic properties of aloe vera extract in high-fat fed spontaneous hypertensive rats – Fundamental Fund

3. The effects of incretin receptor agonist and ghrelin receptor antagonist in alleviating hypertension, metabolic disturbances and bone fractures caused by high salt consumption – Fundamental Fund

Most Recent Articles from Scopus

Metabolomic and Transcriptomic Correlative Analyses in Germ-Free Mice Link Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG-Associated Metabolites to Host Intestinal Fatty Acid Metabolism and β-Oxidation

Suntornsaratoon, P., Ferraris, R.P., Ambat, J., … Gao, N., Li, W.V.

, 2024, 104(4), 100330

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG Stimulates Dietary Tryptophan-Dependent Production of Barrier-Protecting Methylnicotinamide

Suntornsaratoon, P., Antonio, J.M., Flores, J., … Gao, N., Ferraris, R.P.

, 2024, 18(2), 101346

1. UN SDG ที่เกี่ยวข้อง : SDG 3 “Inhibitory effect of Zingiber cassumunar Roxb. (Phlai) on nasal cytokine productions and eosinophilic recruitment in patients with allergic rhinitis” Allergic rhinitis (AR) is chronic upper respiratory tract disease which affects quality of life. AR exhibits inflammatory response in the nasal mucosa characterized by activation of mast cells, eosinophils and T-lymphocytes. Zingiber cassumuunar Roxb. (Phlai) has been used for the treatment of allergies including AR since it has anti-histamine effect but the assessment of nasal cytokine and eosinophil production has not been investigated. This study was a randomized, double-blinded examination. We found that AR patients received Phai for 2 weeks exhibited reductions in IL-5, IL-13 and number of eosinophils in nasal secretion, and reduced in total nasal symptoms scoring while there were no significant differences in all nasal cytokines, eosinophil counts in subjects received placebo. Phai is a promising herbal medicine for alleviating inflammation and AR symptoms.

2. UN SDG ที่เกี่ยวข้อง : SDG 3 “Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG stimulates dietary tryptophan-dependent production of barrier-protecting methylnicotinamide” Besides the roles of digestion and absorption of nutrients into the body, intestinal epithelial cells also function to protect and screen out various substances, such as toxins or pathogens inside intestinal lumen, preventing them from entering the bloodstream. Tight junction proteins are transmembrane proteins that control the paracellular passage of ions and molecules. If the intestinal epithelial cells become inflamed, it can damage this barrier, allowing toxins or pathogens to enter the body. Research has shown that Lacticaseibacillus (formerly Lactobacillus) rhamnosus GG can alleviate leaky gut syndrome caused by autoimmune diseases, as well as in patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), although the mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This research focuses on uncovering the mechanisms by which this microorganism communicates with intestinal cells to regulate tight junction proteins and the interactions between the microorganism and host cells. It was found that LGG-inoculated mice had elevated levels of methylnicotinamide (a vitamin B3 metabolite) in the serum, which correlated with the expression of tight junction proteins. Specifically, higher levels of MNA in the serum were associated with increased expression of tight junction proteins. These results were confirmed in enteroids and in mice that were induced intestinal inflammation by dextran sodium sulfate. Both Mice and enteroids that received MNA treatment showed increased tight junction proteins and increased transepithelial resistance. This research has discovered a new analytical method to study the relationship between metabolomics and transcriptomics, which can be applied to screen for interesting metabolites or genes that respond to specific gut microorganisms for further study.