Kitt Petersen, MD
Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology)Cards
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Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology)
Biography
Dr. Petersen is Professor of Internal Medicine, Section of Endocrinology, Yale University School of Medicine, Honorary Professor of Medicine and Clinical Physiology at University of Copenhagen, Deputy Director of the Metabolic Imaging and Liver Metabolism Section at the Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Copenhagen University, Denmark.
Dr. Petersen received her bachelor’s degree from N. Zahle’s Gymnasieskole (majors: math & physics) in Copenhagen (1978) and her MD from the University of Copenhagen (1985), completed clinical training at the university hospitals, Copenhagen followed by the prestigious fellowships: Kandidat- and Seniorstipendiums for research in metabolism at the University of Copenhagen (1986-1991).
In 1990 Dr. Petersen received further fellowship and postdoctoral training at Yale University in magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy and metabolism. At Yale University School of Medicine she became Research Scientist at in 1991, Assistant Professor in 1998, Associate Professor in 2004 and Professor in 2012.
She has received prestigious awards for her clinical research, including:
- Henry Christian Award for Excellence in Clinical Research (1997, 1998, 2004)
- Novartis Young Investigator Award for Excellence in Clinical Research in Diabetes (2002)
- Glaxo Smith Kline Scholar Award (2003)
- Distinguished Clinical Scientist Award from the American Diabetes Association (2009)
- Team Science Award, Association for Clinical and Translational Science (2016)
Dr. Petersen has published over 140 articles using stable isotopes MR spectroscopy to explore the pathogenesis of NAFLD, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance in aging, obesity, and low birth weight and the reversal of NAFLD and insulin resistance with caloric restriction or exercise.
Appointments
Endocrinology
ProfessorPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Diabetes Research Center
- Endocrinology
- Fellowship Training
- Internal Medicine
- Liver Center
- MR Core
- Yale Ventures
Education & Training
- MD
- University of Copenhagen (1985)
Research
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Overview
Medical Research Interests
Public Health Interests
ORCID
0000-0003-2664-670X
Research at a Glance
Yale Co-Authors
Publications Timeline
Gerald I Shulman, MD, PhD, MACP, MACE, FRCP
Sylvie Dufour
Mario Kahn
Rafael Calais Gaspar, PhD, MSc
Varman Samuel, MD, PhD
Ikki Sakuma
Publications
2026
Distinct effects of ketogenic and non-ketogenic weight-loss diets on hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial metabolism in MASLD
Qadri S, Porthan K, Dufour S, Lehtimäki T, Petersen K, Shulman G, Yki-Järvinen H, Luukkonen P. Distinct effects of ketogenic and non-ketogenic weight-loss diets on hepatic steatosis and mitochondrial metabolism in MASLD. Journal Of Hepatology 2026 PMID: 41655910, DOI: 10.1016/j.jhep.2026.02.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsNon-ketogenic dietIntrahepatic triglyceride contentKetogenic dietIntrahepatic triglycerideSteatosis resolutionLiver injuryPlasma concentrationsLiver diseaseSteatotic liver diseaseAbstractText Label="Background &Susceptible to liver injuryProton magnetic resonance spectroscopyLiver fat reductionProgressive liver injuryWeight lossOptimal dietary approachWeight-loss dietsConcentrations of branched-chain amino acidsBody fat lossBenefits of KDPlasma concentrations of branched-chain amino acidsSystemic metabolic responseBranched-chain amino acidsAbstractText Label="ImpactMitochondrial tricarboxylic acid
2025
Cideb knockdown in mice increases mitochondrial fat oxidation and reverses hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance by the plasma membrane sn-1,2-DAGs–PKCε–insulin receptor kinaseT1150 pathway
Zheng J, Gaspar R, Sakuma I, Hubbard B, Zhang D, Nasiri A, Kahn M, Perelis M, Samuel V, Petersen K, Shulman G. Cideb knockdown in mice increases mitochondrial fat oxidation and reverses hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance by the plasma membrane sn-1,2-DAGs–PKCε–insulin receptor kinaseT1150 pathway. Diabetologia 2025, 68: 2906-2920. PMID: 40908405, DOI: 10.1007/s00125-025-06539-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricConceptsMitochondrial fat oxidationWhole-body energy expenditureTricarboxylic acidIn vivo rateHFD-induced hepatic steatosisHigh-fat dietHFD-induced insulin resistanceSteatotic liver diseaseAntisense oligonucleotidesHepatic lipogenesisHepatic mitochondrial oxidationHepatic insulin resistanceCidebHepatic steatosisComprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring SystemHigh-fat diet mouse modelInsulin resistanceMitochondrial oxidationMethodsC57BL/6J male miceRadio-labelled isotopesHyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamp studiesKnockdownASO treatmentLipogenesisConclusions/interpretationThese findingsLiver lipid droplet cholesterol content is a key determinant of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis
Sakuma I, Gaspar R, Nasiri A, Dufour S, Kahn M, Zheng J, LaMoia T, Guerra M, Taki Y, Kawashima Y, Yimlamai D, Perelis M, Vatner D, Petersen K, Huttasch M, Knebel B, Kahl S, Roden M, Samuel V, Tanaka T, Shulman G. Liver lipid droplet cholesterol content is a key determinant of metabolic dysfunction–associated steatohepatitis. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2025, 122: e2502978122. PMID: 40310463, PMCID: PMC12067271, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2502978122.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsCholine-deficient l-amino acid-defined high-fat dietBempedoic acidLiver fibrosisLiver diseaseL-amino acid-defined high-fat dietAdvanced liver diseaseCholesterol contentHSD17B13 variantsHigh-fat dietTotal liver cholesterol contentTreated miceActivate signaling pathwaysVariant rs738409Liver cholesterol contentLiver lipidsFibrotic responsePromote inflammationTherapeutic approachesSteatotic liver diseaseDietary cholesterol supplementationFibrosisHuman liver samplesI148MAntisense oligonucleotidesProgressive form
2024
Glucagon promotes increased hepatic mitochondrial oxidation and pyruvate carboxylase flux in humans with fatty liver disease
Petersen K, Dufour S, Mehal W, Shulman G. Glucagon promotes increased hepatic mitochondrial oxidation and pyruvate carboxylase flux in humans with fatty liver disease. Cell Metabolism 2024, 36: 2359-2366.e3. PMID: 39197461, PMCID: PMC11612994, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2024.07.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricSmall molecule inhibition of glycogen synthase I reduces muscle glycogen content and improves biomarkers in a mouse model of Pompe disease
Gaspar R, Sakuma I, Nasiri A, Hubbard B, LaMoia T, Leitner B, Tep S, Xi Y, Green E, Ullman J, Petersen K, Shulman G. Small molecule inhibition of glycogen synthase I reduces muscle glycogen content and improves biomarkers in a mouse model of Pompe disease. AJP Endocrinology And Metabolism 2024, 327: e524-e532. PMID: 39171753, PMCID: PMC11482269, DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00175.2024.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsGAA-KO miceMouse model of Pompe diseaseModel of Pompe diseasePompe diseaseMetabolic dysregulationRegular chowMouse modelSmall molecule inhibitionInsulin sensitivityReduced spontaneous activityGroups of male miceEnzyme acid alpha-glucosidaseProgressive muscle weaknessImprove metabolic dysregulationSynthase IWhole-body insulin sensitivityAcid alpha-glucosidaseImproved glucose toleranceIncreased AMPK phosphorylationWT miceAbnormal accumulation of glycogenGlycogen storage disorderMale miceSpontaneous activityImproved biomarkersInsulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes
Roden M, Petersen K, Shulman G. Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes. 2024, 238-249. DOI: 10.1002/9781119697473.ch17.ChaptersCitations
2023
Lysophosphatidic acid triggers inflammation in the liver and white adipose tissue in rat models of 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2 deficiency and overnutrition
Sakuma I, Gaspar R, Luukkonen P, Kahn M, Zhang D, Zhang X, Murray S, Golla J, Vatner D, Samuel V, Petersen K, Shulman G. Lysophosphatidic acid triggers inflammation in the liver and white adipose tissue in rat models of 1-acyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 2 deficiency and overnutrition. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2023, 120: e2312666120. PMID: 38127985, PMCID: PMC10756285, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2312666120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricEffect of Burosumab on Muscle Function and Strength, and Rates of ATP Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle in Adults With XLH
Insogna K, Sullivan R, Parziale S, Deng Y, Carrano D, Simpson C, Dufour S, Carpenter T, Petersen K. Effect of Burosumab on Muscle Function and Strength, and Rates of ATP Synthesis in Skeletal Muscle in Adults With XLH. The Journal Of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2023, 109: e1061-e1071. PMID: 37930769, PMCID: PMC12102717, DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad642.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsConceptsSymptoms of painMuscle function testsFunction testsMuscle strengthMuscle functionSkeletal muscleLower extremity joint painSTS testMuscle function studiesImproved muscle functionTreatment-naïve adultsSynthesis rateMonths of studyJoint painThird doseSymptomatic adultsClinical trialsRight calfATP synthesis rateBurosumabPainMuscle concentrationsXLHSymptomsMuscleThe PNPLA3 I148M variant increases ketogenesis and decreases hepatic de novo lipogenesis and mitochondrial function in humans
Luukkonen P, Porthan K, Ahlholm N, Rosqvist F, Dufour S, Zhang X, Lehtimäki T, Seppänen W, Orho-Melander M, Hodson L, Petersen K, Shulman G, Yki-Järvinen H. The PNPLA3 I148M variant increases ketogenesis and decreases hepatic de novo lipogenesis and mitochondrial function in humans. Cell Metabolism 2023, 35: 1887-1896.e5. PMID: 37909034, DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2023.10.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsDe novo lipogenesisHepatic de novo lipogenesisPlasma β-hydroxybutyrate concentrationsΒ-hydroxybutyrate concentrationsLiver diseaseNovo lipogenesisPNPLA3 I148M variantHepatic mitochondrial redox stateMajor genetic risk factorI148M variantFatty liver diseaseGenetic risk factorsHepatic mitochondrial dysfunctionKetogenic dietMixed mealRisk factorsHepatic metabolismHomozygous carriersM carriersMitochondrial dysfunctionCitrate synthase fluxM variantKetogenesisMitochondrial redox stateMitochondrial functionInhibition of HSD17B13 protects against liver fibrosis by inhibition of pyrimidine catabolism in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Luukkonen P, Sakuma I, Gaspar R, Mooring M, Nasiri A, Kahn M, Zhang X, Zhang D, Sammalkorpi H, Penttilä A, Orho-Melander M, Arola J, Juuti A, Zhang X, Yimlamai D, Yki-Järvinen H, Petersen K, Shulman G. Inhibition of HSD17B13 protects against liver fibrosis by inhibition of pyrimidine catabolism in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2023, 120: e2217543120. PMID: 36669104, PMCID: PMC9942818, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2217543120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCitationsAltmetricMeSH Keywords and ConceptsConceptsNonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseLiver fibrosisLiver diseaseCommon chronic liver diseaseChronic liver diseaseFatty liver diseaseRisk of fibrosisDistinct mouse modelsPyrimidine catabolismNonalcoholic steatohepatitisMouse modelTherapeutic targetFibrosisDihydropyrimidine dehydrogenaseHuman liverA variantCommon variantsMetabolomics approachDiseaseMiceInhibitionCatabolismKnockdownSteatohepatitisGimeracil
Academic Achievements & Community Involvement
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Activities
activity Endocrine Module, Yale School of Medicine
2007 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsCommittee Memberactivity Yale University, School of Medicine
1999 - PresentProfessional OrganizationsCommittee MemberDetailsDepartment of Cell Biology: "Obesity and the Neuro-Endocrine Axis"activity Aarhus University
2005 - 2009CommitteesAdvisorDetailsMD-PhD Advisor, MD-PhD Student Workshop and Thesis Presentations, Aarhus, Denmarkactivity Yale University, School of Medicine
1998 - 2005Professional OrganizationsCommittee MemberDetailsDepartment of Internal Medicine: Endocrine Module 'Pathophysiology of Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes"activity Yale University, School of Medicine
1998 - 2005Professional OrganizationsCommittee MemberDetailsYale School of. Epidemiology and Public Health: 'Diabetes Pathophysiology and Epidemiology'
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- July 29, 2025
Study Reveals Cholesterol’s Role in Fibrotic Progression of Metabolic Liver Disease
- April 04, 2023
Researchers Demonstrate New Protective Process Against Liver Fibrosis in NASH
- July 19, 2022
Diabetes Treatment and Research at Yale: 30 Years of Progress
- April 14, 2022
Small Amounts of Liver Fat Lead to Insulin Resistance and Increased Cardiometabolic Risk Factors
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