Yoshifumi Saisho, MD, PhD
- Director, Saisho Diabetes Clinic, Tokyo, Japan
- Adjunct Professor, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Adjunct Clinical Professor, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Academic Councilor, Japan Diabetes Society
- Board member, International Society of Personalized Medicine
- Board member, Certification Board for Diabetes Educators in Japan
- Editorial board, Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
- Editorial board, Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism
- Editorial board, BMC endocrine disorders
Biography
Dr. Saisho received his medical degree in 1998 and his PhD degree in 2009, both from the Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo. Before obtaining his current position as assistant professor, Dr. Saisho completed a three-year postdoctoral fellowship at the Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center at the University of California-Los Angeles’s David Geffen School of Medicine (Prof. Peter C. Butler). Dr. Saisho’s area of interest is Diabetology, especially beta cell dysfunction in diabetes. Dr. Saisho is the author or coauthor of more than 100 publications.
How does your research relate to the SDGs?
Prevention is a key to “well-being”. Type 2 diabetes is a progressive disease, with decline in beta cell function. Since impairment of beta cell function started more than 10 years before the development of hyperglycemia, earlier intervention for type 2 diabetes is critical to preserve beta cell function. Having that beta cell expansion in response to obesity in humans is limited, insulin resistance inevitably leads to an increment in beta cell workload, even before the onset of diabetes. Longstanding overwork of beta cell results in beta cell malfunction, and eventually beta cell death, like “Karoshi” in Japanese. Once the number of beta cells starts to decrease, the rest of beta cells must work harder to maintain normoglycemia, forming the vicious cycle. Therefore, the lifestyle modification including healthy eating and physical activity should direct towards the reduction in beta cell workload, and protection of beta cell will be the path to the prevention of diabetes, as well as achievement of the SDGs.
- Beyond glucose: A beta-cell centric approach to prevent type 2 diabetes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPE66_w7uR4)
Why did you decide to go into your field of research?
In Japan, there are many patients with type 2 diabetes without obesity. Moreover, despite lifestyle modification, diabetes cannot be cured in most patients. Based on these facts, I hypothesized that beta cell dysfunction is the key to explore the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.
How has knowledge of topic developed over the course of your career?
I conducted my research at UCLA (Prof. Peter C Butler) between 2006 and 2009 as a postdoctoral fellow. This experience gave me the opportunity to develop my career thereafter.
What are your hopes for progress in the future?
Based on the beta cell centric concept of diabetes which we proposed, medical staffs and patients with type 2 diabetes should work together to protect beta cell. The beta cell centric concept will empower the people with type 2 diabetes, diminish the stigma, and enhance the advocacy among the people with type 2 diabetes.
Follow the Topic
-
BMC Endocrine Disorders
This is an open access, peer-reviewed journal that considers articles on the characterization, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of endocrine disorders.
Related Collections
With Collections, you can get published faster and increase your visibility.
Continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes
BMC Endocrine Disorders is calling for submissions to our Collection, Continuous glucose monitoring in diabetes.
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) has revolutionized diabetes management by offering a comprehensive picture of glycemic status, and providing real-time glucose data to support prompt and informed decisions. This Collection aims to explore the latest advancements in CGM technology, including the integration of wearable sensors, non-invasive methods, and enhanced sensor accuracy. As diabetes prevalence continues to rise globally, the need for effective, convenient, and easy-to-wear monitoring solutions that can improve glycemic control and overall health outcomes has never been more urgent.
The significance of CGM technology lies in its potential to transform diabetes care by allowing for proactive management rather than reactive measures. Recent innovations have led to more accurate sensors and user-friendly devices, empowering individuals with diabetes to achieve better blood glucose control. Additionally, CGM systems can facilitate personalized insulin therapy and enhance patient-provider communication. As we gather research for this Collection, it is vital to consider how these advances can be optimized to further improve quality of life for those living with diabetes.
With ongoing research and development, the future of CGM is promising. We may see the emergence of more sophisticated wearable technologies that not only track glucose levels but also integrate with artificial intelligence to predict fluctuations, recommend lifestyle changes, and optimize insulin delivery. Such innovations could lead to more personalized and effective diabetes management strategies, ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of diabetes-related complications.
Topics that are welcome include, but are not limited to, the following:
Advances in wearable glucose monitoring technology
Integration of non-invasive sensors in diabetes management
Enhancing sensor accuracy for better glycemic control
Real-time glucose tracking and its impact on insulin therapy
We invite researchers to submit their work to this Collection that will showcase cutting-edge research in CGM, exploring various dimensions such as wearable technology, glycemic control, and innovative solutions for diabetes management.
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Apr 10, 2026
Endocrine disruptors and metabolic disorders
BMC Endocrine Disorders is calling for submissions to our Collection, Endocrine disruptors and metabolic disorders.
The relationship between endocrine disruptors (EDCs) and metabolic disorders has emerged as a pivotal area of research in recent years. EDCs, which include a wide range of environmental toxins such as pesticides, phthalates, and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can interfere with hormonal systems and potentially contribute to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. As exposure to these harmful substances continues to increase due to industrialization and agricultural practices, understanding their impact on human health is critical for developing preventive strategies and therapeutic approaches.
Exploring the implications of EDCs on metabolic health is essential not only for individual well-being but also for public health on a broader scale. Advances in this field have revealed mechanisms through which these substances influence adipogenesis and lipid metabolism, contributing to the prevalence of metabolic disorders. Studies utilizing biomonitoring techniques and innovative epidemiological approaches have further elucidated the pathways linking environmental exposures to adverse health outcomes, paving the way for potential interventions and policy changes.
As research in this domain progresses, we anticipate new breakthroughs that could lead to the identification of specific EDCs responsible for metabolic disorders, enabling targeted prevention strategies. Moreover, integrating findings with emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and systems biology, could revolutionize our understanding of EDC interactions with metabolic processes. Such insights may ultimately inform regulatory frameworks and foster public awareness about reducing exposure to harmful substances.
Topics that are welcome include, but are not limited to, the following:
Impact of phthalates on adipogenesis
Potential endocrine-disrupting effects of Bisphenol A, Bisphenol S, Bisphenol F
The Role of EDCs in Gestation and Pregnancy
Prenatal and postnatal exposure to EDCs and risk for metabolic health in children
Role of persistent organic pollutants in dyslipidemia
Environmental chemical exposures and obesity risk
Effects of PFAS on metabolic health
Interactions between pesticides and metabolic disorders
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health & Well-being
All manuscripts submitted to this journal, including those submitted to collections and special issues, are assessed in line with our editorial policies and the journal’s peer-review process. Reviewers and editors are required to declare competing interests and can be excluded from the peer review process if a competing interest exists.
Publishing Model: Open Access
Deadline: Apr 29, 2026
Please sign in or register for FREE
If you are a registered user on Research Communities by Springer Nature, please sign in