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Ralph DeFronzo, MD, Endocrinology, San Antonio, TX, University Health / UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

RalphADeFronzoMD

Endocrinology San Antonio, TX

Diabetes

Endocrinologist, University Texas Health Science Center

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Summary

  • Dr. Ralph DeFronzo is an endocrinologist in San Antonio, TX and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including University Health / UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, South Texas Veterans Health Care System, and University Health / UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. He received his medical degree from Harvard Medical School and has been in practice 48 years. He specializes in diabetes and is experienced in diabetes. He has more than 800 publications and over 500 citings.

Education & Training

  • University of Pennsylvania Health System
    University of Pennsylvania Health SystemResidency, Internal Medicine, 1973 - 1975
  • Johns Hopkins University
    Johns Hopkins UniversityResidency, Internal Medicine, 1969 - 1971
  • Harvard Medical School
    Harvard Medical SchoolClass of 1969
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health and Hospitals (Elmhurst)
    Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai/NYC Health and Hospitals (Elmhurst)Fellowship, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Certifications & Licensure

  • TX State Medical License
    TX State Medical License 1990 - 2025
  • MD State Medical License
    MD State Medical License 1970 - 1982
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
  • American Board of Internal Medicine Nephrology

Clinical Trials

Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Journal Articles

  • Mild Physiologic Hyperglycemia Induces Hepatic Insulin Resistance in Healthy Normal Glucose Tolerant Subjects  
    Rita Basu, Ralph A DeFronzo, Devjit Tripathy, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
  • Glucose-Mediated Glucose Disposal at Baseline Insulin Is Impaired in IFG  
    Ralph A DeFronzo, Rucha Mehta, Christina Agyin, John Adams, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism

Lectures

  • Pioglitazone Prevents the Increase in Plasma Ketone Concentration Associated with Dapagliflozin in Insulin‐Treated T2DM Patients: Results from the Qatar Study 
    San Antonio, TX - 6/14/2014
  • Pioglitazone Prevents the Increase in Plasma Ketone Concentration Associated with Dapagliflozin in Insulin‐Treated T2DM Patients: Results from the Qatar Study 
    San Antonio, TX - 6/15/2014

Press Mentions

  • The Guidelines Specifically Recommend DPP-4 Inhibitors as Monotherapy for Patients with HbA1c Levels Between 6
    The Guidelines Specifically Recommend DPP-4 Inhibitors as Monotherapy for Patients with HbA1c Levels Between 6January 18th, 2023
  • DeFronzo Wins Global Prize for Work in Type 2 Diabetes
    DeFronzo Wins Global Prize for Work in Type 2 DiabetesNovember 29th, 2022
  • Two Diabetes Drug Classes Can Increase, Maintain Beta-Cell Function
    Two Diabetes Drug Classes Can Increase, Maintain Beta-Cell FunctionDecember 3rd, 2021
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Grant Support

  • Improved Hypoglycemia Rescue DeviceNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases2011
  • Regulation Of Hepatic And Peripheral Glucose MetabolismNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases1988–2010
  • Reactive Oxygen Species (Ros), Mitochondrial Dysfunction And T2D (Prot 1)National Center For Research Resources2008
  • Protocol V: Effect Of Chronically Elevated Plasma FFA On HGP And GluconeogenesisNational Center For Research Resources2008
  • Prot 1: Effect Of Physiologic Increase In FFA On Mitochondrial Func In NGT SubjNational Center For Research Resources2008
  • Mechanisms Of Action Of Exubera To Normalize Fasting Plasma Glucose In T2dmNational Center For Research Resources2008
  • Is Non-Diabetic Fasting Hyperglycemia Explained By Impaired Glucose UptakeNational Center For Research Resources2008
  • Clinical Trial: Effects Of 8 WKS Trtmt Of Vildagliptin,Exenatide, Or CombinationNational Center For Research Resources2008
  • Clinical Trial: A Double-Blind Study To Explore Effects Of Laf237 On Glucose DurNational Center For Research Resources2008
  • Effect Of Acute Elevation Of FFA On Mitochondrial Function In Skeletal MuscleNational Center For Research Resources2007–2008
  • Mechanism Of Insulin Sensitizing Effect Of Pioglitazone-Role Of AdiponectinNational Center For Research Resources2006–2008
  • Molecular Epidemiology Of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In Mexican AmericansNational Center For Research Resources2005–2008
  • Glycemic Control And Complications In Diabetes Mellitus Type 2National Center For Research Resources2005–2008
  • Protocol V: Effect Of Chronically Elevated Plasma FFA On HGP &GluconeogenesisNational Center For Research Resources2007
  • Effects Of 8 WKS Trtmt Of Vildagliptin,Exenaide, Or Combination In Patient W/T2dNational Center For Research Resources2007
  • Reactive Oxygen Species (Ros), Mitochondrial Dysfunction And Type 2 DiabetesNational Center For Research Resources2006–2007
  • Molecular EPI Of T2dm In MAS: Protocol 1: Expansion Of Vages FamiliesNational Center For Research Resources2006–2007
  • Role Of Serine Phos In Insulin Resistance In Vivo In Human Muscle (Nih Prot 2a)National Center For Research Resources2006
  • Actos NOW For Prevention Of Diabetes (Act Now)National Center For Research Resources2006
  • Prot V: Effect Of Chronically Elevated Plasma FFA On HGP And GluconeogenesisNational Center For Research Resources2005–2006
  • A Double-Blind Study To Explore Effects Of Laf237 On Glucose During OvernightNational Center For Research Resources2005–2006
  • Regulation Of Hepatic And Peripheral Glucose MetabolismNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases2005
  • Effect Of Pioglitazone On Insulin Signaling And Muscle Fat ContentNational Center For Research Resources2005
  • Pioglitazone Splanchnic Gluc Uptake, Hepatic Gluc Prod, INS Senst, Mscl Fat ContNational Center For Research Resources2004–2005
  • Reduction Of Hyprinsulinemia--Glucose Metab/Insul SenseNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Reduction In Plasma FFA Concentration With FenofilbrateNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Pioglitazone--Insulin Signaling And Muscle Fat In PCOSNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Nitric Oxide, Endothelial Dysfunction &Type 2 DiabetesNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Molecular Epidemiology Of NIDDM In Mexican AmericansNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Glycemic Control And Complications In NIDDMNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Fenofibrate--Glucose/Lipid Metab In NIDDM &Insul SenseNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Effect Of Acipimox On Glucose Metabolism In NIDDMNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Chronically Elevated Plasma FFA On HGP &GluconeogenesisNational Center For Research Resources2004
  • Liver Action In Glucose Homeostasis In Diabetics/NormalsNational Center For Research Resources2000–2002
  • IGF1 On Muscle Glucose Phosphorylation And TransportNational Center For Research Resources2000–2002
  • IGF1 Effect On Lipid/Ffa Metabolism--Protocol VINational Center For Research Resources2000–2002
  • Hyperinsulinemia--Glucose Phosphorylation/TransportNational Center For Research Resources2000–2002
  • Glycolysis In Insulin Mediated Glucose DisposalNational Center For Research Resources2000–2002
  • Molecular Epidemiology Of Type 2 Diabetes In Mexican AmericansNational Center For Research Resources1999–2002
  • Effect Of Tight Glycemic Control On Glucose Phosphorylation &TransportNational Center For Research Resources1999–2002
  • Effect Of Prolonged Reduction Of Hyperinsulinemia On Glucose MetabolismNational Center For Research Resources1999–2002
  • Acute Effect Of Phlorizin On Plasma Glucose Levels &Hepatic GlucoseNational Center For Research Resources1999–2002
  • Insulin Effects On Glucose Transporters Of Human Peripheral TissueNational Center For Research Resources1993–2002
  • Effect Of Chronic Hyperinsulinemia On Glucose Phosphorylation And TransportNational Center For Research Resources1997–2000
  • Effect Of 2 Oral Contraceptives On Insulin Sensitivity In Women With IDDMNational Center For Research Resources1998–1999
  • Effect Of Elevated Plasma Free Fatty Acid Concentration On Glucose TransportNational Center For Research Resources1997–1999
  • Effect Of Miglitol On Glucose Metabolism In Normal And NIDDM SubjectsNational Center For Research Resources1996–1999
  • Metabolic And Molecular Basis Of NIDDMNational Center For Research Resources1996–1998
  • Regulation Of Glucose Phosphorylation And Transport In MuscleNational Center For Research Resources1997
  • Mechanisms Of Carbohydrate Intolerance In Patients With Gestational DiabetesNational Center For Research Resources1996–1997
  • Effect Of IGF-I On Glucose And Protein Metabolism In Control And NIDDM SubjectsNational Center For Research Resources1996
  • Effect Of Elevated Plasma Free Fatty Acid Levels On GluconeogenesisNational Center For Research Resources1996
  • Glucose Metabolism After Mixed Meal Ingestion In Diabetics And NormalsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1996
  • Effect Of Hyperglycemia On Rate Of Gluconeogenesis And GlycogenolysisNational Center For Research Resources1994
  • Carbohydrate Intolerance In Diabetes, Obesity, Uremia And HypertensionNational Center For Research Resources1994
  • Treatment Of Obesity With BromocriptineNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Leucine, Alpha-Ketoisocaproic Acid, And Insulin In Protein SynthesisNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Examination Of Effects Of Cardura On Glucose Metabolism In DiabeticsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Effects Of Captopril And Nifedipine On Glucose Metabolism In DiabeticsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Effect Of Misoprostol On Glucose Metabolism In Normal And NIDDM SubjectsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Effect Of Metformin On Basal And Postprandial Lipid/Lipoprotein MetabolismNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Effect Of Lovastatin On Glucose And Lipid Metabolism In DiabeticsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Effect Of IGF-1 On Glucose And Protein Metabolism In Control And NIDDM SubjectsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Effect Of Bromocriptine On Glucose And Lipid Metabolism In DiabeticsNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease And Insulin ResistanceNational Center For Research Resources1993–1994
  • Quantitative Role Of Glycolysis In Insulin-Mediated Glucose DisposalNational Center For Research Resources1990–1994
  • Insulin And Hyperaminoacidemia In Forearm Protein SynthesisNational Center For Research Resources1993
  • Glucagon Dose Response Curve For Hepatic Glucose ProductionNational Center For Research Resources1993
  • Effect Of Etomoxir On Glucose And Lipid Metabolism In DiabeticsNational Center For Research Resources1993
  • Combined Sulfonylurea/Insulin Therapy In Patients With NIDDMNational Center For Research Resources1993
  • Regulation Of Hepatic &Peripheral Glucose MetabolismNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases1990–1993
  • Leucine Metabolism Normal, Diabetic, Obese And Uremic ManNational Center For Research Resources1990
  • Insulin Effects On Glucose Transport Of Human Peripheral TissueNational Center For Research Resources1990
  • Fenoldopam In Patients With Chronic Renal InsufficiencyNational Center For Research Resources1990
  • Combined Sulfonyurea/Insulin Therapy In PTS. With Non-Insulin Dependent D.M.National Center For Research Resources1990
  • Regulation Of Hepatic And Peripheral Glucose MetabolismNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases1986–1988
  • Regulation Of Hepatic And Peripheral Glucose MetabolismNat Inst Of Arthritis, Diabetes, Digestive &Kidney Diseases1985

Committees

  • member, CONSENSUS STATEMENT BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGISTS AND AMERICAN COLLEGE OF ENDOCRINOLOGY ON THE COMPREHENSIVE TYPE 2 DIABETES MANAGEMENT ALGORITHM 2016 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
  • member, AACE/ACE Comprehensive Type 2 Diabetes Management Algorithm 2024

Professional Memberships

Hospital Affiliations