Research activity

I obtained my PhD in 2008 from the University of Vigo (Spain). After several years of research in comparative physiology and nutrition, I became interested in human nutrition and metabolism. Currently, my main research interest lies in understanding how the human body adapts to nutritionally-induced metabolic diseases associated with aging, such as obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. I aim to achieve this by identifying and predicting the phenotypic responses derived from metabolomics that occur at the onset of dysmetabolism.

My research focuses on two main areas :

• Improve the characterization and prediction of phenotypes, as well as their biomarkers, that evolve from a healthy state to a pathophysiological state. This is crucial for developing preventive nutritional strategies. My approach relies heavily on metabolomics-based phenotyping in clinical studies (including cohorts and interventional studies) as well as preclinical models, with a particular focus on multi-catheterized minipigs.
• Gain insights into inter-individual variability in responses to diet in the context of metabolic diseases. This deep phenotyping approach aims to create personalized nutritional strategies, particularly as individuals age.

I also coordinate several national and international projects, and my contributions include the writing of over 80 articles published in international peer-reviewed journals.

Keywords : metabolomics, postprandial, nutrition, insulin resistance, phenotyping, personalized nutrition.

Most notable publications

• Lépine G, Mariotti F, Tremblay-Franco M, Courrent M, Verny MA, David J, Mathé V, Jame P, Anchisi A, Lefranc-Millot C, Perreau C, Guérin-Deremaux L, Chollet C, Castelli F, Chu-Van E, Huneau JF, Rémond D, Pickering G, Fouillet H, Polakof S. Increasing plant protein in the diet induces changes in the plasma metabolome that may be beneficial for metabolic health. A randomized crossover study in males. Clin Nutr. 2024 Dec;43(12):146-157. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2024.10.009.
• Bousahba I., David J., Castelli F., Chollet C., Ouzia S., Fenaille F., Remond D., Poupin N., Polakof S. (2022). Despite similar clinical features metabolomics reveals distinct signatures in insulin resistant and progressively obese minipigs. Journal of Physiology and Biochemistry, , https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s13105-022-00940-2, https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03941308
• Lépine G., Huneau J.-F., Remond D., Mathé V., David J., Hermier D., Guérin-Deremaux L., Lefranc-Millot C., Poupin N., Mariotti F. Lépine, G., J.-F. Huneau, D. Rémond, V. Mathé, J. David, D. Hermier, L. Guérin-Deremaux, C. Lefranc-Millot, N. Poupin, F. Mariotti, S. Polakof* er H. Fouillet* (2022). Compared with Milk Protein, a Wheat and Pea Protein Blend Reduces High-Fat, High-Sucrose Induced Metabolic Dysregulations while Similarly Supporting Tissue Protein Anabolism in Rats. Journal of Nutrition, 153 (3), 645-656, https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2022.12.029, https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03940315,
• Kim J., Blaser C., Portmann R., Badertscher R., Marmonier C., Blot A., David J., Stoffers H., von Ah U., Bütikofer U. ... Polakof S. (2022). Postprandial Responses on Serum Metabolome to Milk and Yogurt Intake in Young and Older Men. Frontiers in nutrition, 9, https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.851931, https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-03813081,
• Tremblay-Franco M., Poupin N., Amiel A., Canlet C., Remond D., Debrauwer L., Dardevet D., Jourdan F., Polakof S., Savary-Auzeloux I. (2020). Postprandial NMR-Based Metabolic Exchanges Reflect Impaired Phenotypic Flexibility across Splanchnic Organs in the Obese Yucatan Mini-Pig. Nutrients, 12 (8), 2442, https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu12082442, https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-02927174,

Other links

• https://reseautage.uca.fr 
• https://sites.google.com/site/spolakof/    
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergio-polakof-887a6540/