Pinar Gumus Balikcioglu | Scholars@Duke

Pinar Gumus Balikcioglu
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics

I have a research interest in the pathogenesis and predictors of progression to Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents. I examined the relationship between insulin secretion and GAD65 antibody levels at diagnosis on glycemic control in Type 2 Diabetes. I then explored the relationship between body mass index and GAD65 antibody status on β-cell secretion at diabetes onset in African-American children. I subsequently demonstrated that type 2 diabetes in children is associated with abnormalities in cortisol metabolism.

Type 2 diabetes is disproportionately high among African Americans and Hispanic populations and is more common in adolescent females than males despite comparable BMI-z scores. My colleagues and I have explored these differences in a recent analysis of obese adolescents. Using metabolomic profiling, principal components analysis, and regression analysis, we found associations between insulin resistance and a branched chain amino acid-related metabolic signature as well as striking sex dependent differences in metabolic profiles. Our findings are the first to underscore the role of sex differences in metabolic function and outcomes in pediatric obesity. Collectively, my studies have identified strong associations between insulin resistance, cortisol metabolism, and sex steroid action.

I would like to explore if changes in cortisol metabolism and the sex differences in metabolic function is a cause or a consequence of obesity; and if these metabolic findings can predict the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Current Appointments & Affiliations

Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Pediatrics 2015
Member of Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute 2013

Contact Information

3000 Erwin Road, Suite 200, Durham, NC 27710
DUMC Box 102820, Durham, NC 27710
pinar.gumus@duke.edu (919) 668-4002

Background
Education, Training, & Certifications
- M.H.S., Duke University School of Medicine 2019
- Pediatric Residency, Pediatrics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, School of Medicine 2011 - 2013
- Fellowship in Pediatric Endocrinology, Pediatrics, Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans 2008 - 2011
- Pediatric Chief Residency, Pediatrics, Hacettepe University (Turkey) 2006 - 2008
- Pediatric Residency, Pediatrics, Hacettepe University (Turkey) 2002 - 2006
- M.D., Hacettepe University (Turkey) 2001
Duke Appointment History
- Medical Instructor in the Department of Pediatrics, Pediatrics, Endocrinology, Pediatrics 2013 - 2015
Research
Selected Grants
- Serotonin as a Novel Biomarker for Progression to Type 2 Diabetes in Obese Adolescents awarded by National Institutes of Health 2018 - 2023
- Branched Chain Amino Acids: Metabolomic predictors of skeletal muscle mass accrual and glycemic control among children with Type 1 diabetes awarded by Diabetes Research Connection 2020 - 2021
Publications & Artistic Works
Selected Publications
- Academic Articles
  - Gumus Balikcioglu, Pinar, Metin Balikcioglu, Arlette Soros, and Stuart Chalew. “The 24-hour average concentration of cortisol is elevated in obese African-American youth with type 2 diabetes.” J Diabetes Complications 35, no. 7 (July 2021): 107933. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdiacomp.2021.107933.
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  - Jachthuber Trub, Catherine, Metin Balikcioglu, Michael Freemark, James Bain, Michael Muehlbauer, Olga Ilkayeva, Phillip J. White, et al. “Impact of lifestyle Intervention on branched-chain amino acid catabolism and insulin sensitivity in adolescents with obesity.” Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 4, no. 3 (July 2021): e00250. https://doi.org/10.1002/edm2.250.
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  - Modarelli, Rachel, Pinar Gumus Balikcioglu, Grace Hendrix, Michelle DeRusso, and Caroline Ozment. “The Perfect Storm: Rapid Progression of Diabetic Ketoacidosis in Pediatric Diabetes in the Setting of COVID-19.” Aace Clinical Case Reports, June 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aace.2021.05.007.
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  - Gumus Balikcioglu, Pinar, Megan E. Ramaker, Kelly A. Mason, Kim M. Huffman, Johanna L. Johnson, Olga Ilkayeva, Michael J. Muehlbauer, Michael Freemark, and William E. Kraus. “Branched-Chain Amino Acid Catabolism and Cardiopulmonary Function Following Acute Maximal Exercise Testing in Adolescents.” Front Cardiovasc Med 8 (2021): 721354. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.721354.
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  - Gumus Balikcioglu, Pinar, Metin Balikcioglu, Michael J. Muehlbauer, Jonathan Q. Purnell, David Broadhurst, Michael Freemark, and Andrea M. Haqq. “Macronutrient Regulation of Ghrelin and Peptide YY in Pediatric Obesity and Prader-Willi Syndrome.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab 100, no. 10 (October 2015): 3822–31. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2015-2503.
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  - Newbern, Dorothee, Pinar Gumus Balikcioglu, Metin Balikcioglu, James Bain, Michael Muehlbauer, Robert Stevens, Olga Ilkayeva, et al. “Sex differences in biomarkers associated with insulin resistance in obese adolescents: metabolomic profiling and principal components analysis.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab 99, no. 12 (December 2014): 4730–39. https://doi.org/10.1210/jc.2014-2080.
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  - Mason, Kelly, Laura Page, and Pinar Gumus Balikcioglu. “Screening for hormonal, monogenic, and syndromic disorders in obese infants and children.” Pediatr Ann 43, no. 9 (September 2014): e218–24. https://doi.org/10.3928/00904481-20140825-08.
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  - Page, L., K. A. Mason, and P. Gumus Balikcioglu. “Identification and screening for hormonal and syndromic disorders in obese infants and children (Accepted).” Pediatric Annals: A Journal of Continuing Pediatric Education, 2014.
  - Balikcioglu, Pinar Gumus, Ricardo Gómez, Alfonso Vargas, Swaroop Aradhya, Ludwine M. Messiaen, and Yves Lacassie. “Adrenal hypoplasia congenita with phenotypic features suggestive of neurofibromatosis type 1 among three African-American brothers.” Am J Med Genet A 161A, no. 8 (August 2013): 2105–7. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.36031.
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  - Balikcioglu, Pinar Gumus, Metin Balikcioglu, Ricardo Gómez, Alfonso Vargas, and Stuart A. Chalew. “Relationship of body mass index and GAD65 antibody status on β-cell secretion at diabetes onset in African-American children.” J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 26, no. 11–12 (2013): 1087–91. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2013-0138.
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  - Gumus, P., M. Luquette, M. L. Haymon, E. Valerie, J. Morales, and A. Vargas. “Virilizing adrenocortical adenoma associated with acquired anhydrosis in an adolescent girl.” J Pediatr Endocr Met 24, no. 3–4 (2011): 233–35.
  - Gumus, Pinar, Mark Luquette, Marie Louise Haymon, Evans Valerie, Jaime Morales, and Alfonso Vargas. “Virilizing para-adrenocortical adenoma associated with idiopathic-acquired generalized anhidrosis in an adolescent girl.” J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 24, no. 3–4 (2011): 233–35. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2011.124.
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  - Gumus, Pinar, and Stuart Chalew. “Not ready for prime time.” J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 24, no. 1–2 (2011): 5–6. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2011.074.
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  - Gumus, Pinar, Ricardo Gomez, Alfonso Vargas, and Stuart Chalew. “The relationship of insulin secretion and GAD65 antibody levels at diagnosis on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes.” J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 23, no. 10 (October 2010): 1025–29. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem.2010.163.
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  - Teksam, Ozlem, Pinar Gumus, Benan Bayrakci, Ilkay Erdogan, and Gulsev Kale. “Acute cardiac effects of carbon monoxide poisoning in children.” Eur J Emerg Med 17, no. 4 (August 2010): 192–96. https://doi.org/10.1097/MEJ.0b013e328320ad48.
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  - Sackesen, Cansin, Hulya Ercan, Evrim Dizdar, Ozge Soyer, Pinar Gumus, Berat Nursal Tosun, Zehra Büyüktuncer, Erdem Karabulut, Tanju Besler, and Omer Kalayci. “A comprehensive evaluation of the enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant systems in childhood asthma.” J Allergy Clin Immunol 122, no. 1 (July 2008): 78–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2008.03.035.
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  - Gümüş, Pinar, Ozlem Tekşam, Hande Akinci, Gonca Boztepe, and Ateş Kara. “Gianotti-Crosti syndrome as the only manifestation of primary Epstein-Barr virus infection: a case report.” Turk J Pediatr 50, no. 3 (May 2008): 302–4.
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Education, Training, & Certifications

Duke Appointment History

Selected Grants

Selected Publications

Academic Articles