About

Valentina Medici, M.D., M.A.S., F.A.A.S.L.D., is a professor and Vice Chair for Research at UC Davis Health within the Department of Internal Medicine. Her clinical specialty is gastroenterology and hepatology, with a focus on liver diseases, particularly metabolic diseases such as Wilson disease, fatty liver, alcohol-associated liver disease, post-liver transplant care, and nutrition problems. She works at the UC Davis Midtown Ambulatory Care Center and emphasizes communication, respectful interaction, and providing the most updated information and care to her patients. Her research career is devoted to studying Wilson disease, especially epigenetic changes affecting its clinical manifestations. She conducts research in liver metabolism and lipid profiles across different ethnic backgrounds, spanning human, translational, and basic science studies in animal models. Her ultimate goal is to understand the pathophysiology of liver diseases to improve their diagnosis and treatment. Dr. Medici has received numerous awards, including the Chairs Recognition Award in 2019, and has contributed to the scientific community through publications on Wilson disease, epigenetics, and liver metabolism.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Food science
• Medicine
• Endocrinology
• Internal medicine
• Biology

Selected publications

• Frontotemporal lobar degeneration complexity: atypical presentations and heterogeneous proteinopathies in five cases

  Frontiers in Neuroscience · 2026-02-26

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) encompasses heterogeneous clinical syndrome within the frontotemporal spectrum, where clinicopathological associations may be misleading. This case series illustrates clinicopathological variability and mismatches. Methods: A retrospective case series was conducted within the brain donation program at the Golgi Cenci Foundation. Cases presenting at onset with a frontotemporal-spectrum phenotype, longitudinal clinical data, and post-mortem neuropathological characterization were included. Results: Five cases (mean age at onset 65.4 years) were clinically diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder due to frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Neuropathological examination revealed clinicopathological heterogeneity: two cases showed FTLD-TDP-A associated with GRN mutations, including a classic case and one with posterior (parieto-occipital) involvement; one non-fluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA) case demonstrated FTLD-TDP-A with multiple co-pathologies; one semantic-variant-like case was driven by high Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes; and one behavioral variant FTD-like case corresponded to frontal-variant Alzheimer's disease (fvAD) with extensive mixed pathology, including Lewy body disease, LATE-NC, and vascular pathology. Discussion: Findings indicate that clinical phenotypes are more influenced by the anatomical distribution of pathology than by the specific molecular substrate. Frequent coexisting proteinopathies and asymmetric involvement contribute to phenotypic variability, reinforcing the role of neuropathological examination of both hemispheres for accurate clinicopathological correlations and definitive etiological diagnosis.

  PublisherDOI

• The Influence of Daily Honey-Sweetened Yogurt Intake on Outcomes of Low-Grade Inflammation and Microbial Metabolites in Postmenopausal Women

  Nutrients · 2026-02-04

  articleOpen access

  Background/Objectives: After fermentation, yogurt is often supplemented with probiotics, yet sweetened with added sugars that can negatively impact cardiometabolic health. Honey provides rare sugars, oligosaccharides and phenolics that may promote gut and cardiometabolic health. We aimed to determine the impact of yogurt sweetened with commercial clover blossom honey on pro-inflammatory Th17 cytokines and microbial-derived metabolites in healthy postmenopausal women. Methods: In a randomized controlled crossover dietary intervention trial, postmenopausal women (45–65 years of age) consumed two 150 g servings of yogurt for breakfast for 4 weeks, with each serving sweetened with a tablespoon of clover blossom honey or an isocaloric amount of sugar. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of plasma lipids, bile acids (BA) and Th17 cytokines, along with fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). The primary outcome was plasma interleukin (IL)-23. Results: Neither dietary intervention significantly changed IL-23, plasma lipids, fecal SCFA or plasma BA. Compared to sugar-sweetened yogurt, IL-33 was significantly lower after 4 weeks of honey-sweetened yogurt intake. Conclusions: In a healthy population of postmenopausal women, the daily intake for 4 weeks of honey-sweetened yogurt did not significantly impact our primary outcome of IL-23. Instead, lower plasma levels of IL-33 were observed with honey compared to sugar-sweetened yogurt intake. The impact of the intervention on this cytokine was independent of changes in fecal SCFA and plasma BA. Confirmatory studies, in a larger population with levels of honey intake within dietary recommendations for added sugar, are warranted.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The clinical and molecular landscape of diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3 G34-mutant

  Neuro-Oncology · 2025-01-22 · 12 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Diffuse hemispheric glioma, histone 3 (H3) G34-mutant, has been newly defined in the 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of central nervous system tumors. Here we sought to define the prognostic roles of clinical, neuroimaging, pathological, and molecular features of these tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively assembled a cohort of 114 patients (median age 22 years) with diffuse hemispheric glioma, H3 G34-mutant, central nervous system WHO grade 4, and profiled the imaging, histological, and molecular landscape of their tumors. RESULTS: Compared with glioblastoma, H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric gliomas exhibited less avid contrast enhancement, necrosis, and edema on MRI. Comprehensive analyses of mutational and DNA copy number profiles revealed recurrent mutations in TP53 and ATRX, homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, and amplifications of PDGFRA, EGFR, CCND2, and MYCN. MGMT promoter methylation was detected in 79 tumors (75%); 11 tumors (13%) showed DNA copy number profiles suggestive of circumscribed deletions on 10q26.3 involving the MGMT locus. Median survival was 21.5 months. Female sex, gross total resection, and MGMT promoter methylation were positive prognostic factors on univariate analysis. Among radiological, pathological, and molecular features, the absence of pial invasion and the presence of microvascular proliferation and CDK6 amplification were positive prognostic factors on univariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: This study refines the clinical and molecular landscape of H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric gliomas. Dedicated trials for this novel tumor type are urgently needed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparative review of copper-associated chronic hepatitis in dogs and Wilson disease in humans

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-12-04

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Copper-associated chronic hepatitis (CAH) in dogs and Wilson disease (WD) in humans are progressive hepatic disorders caused by copper accumulation. Although both diseases share similar pathomechanisms of copper-induced liver injury, they diverge in some aspects of etiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies. Wilson disease arises from inherited ATP7B mutations while CAH in dogs might be more influenced by excess dietary copper with ATP7B mutations playing a lesser role. Dogs exhibit hepatic disease whereas humans show hepatic and/or extrahepatic manifestations, including neuropsychiatric and ocular signs. Dogs with CAH accumulate copper centrilobularly unlike human patients who develop copper periportally initially. There are several non-invasive diagnostic tools used to monitor the effect of treatment in humans with WD that are not available for dogs with CAH. Copper chelation and dietary copper restriction are used to treat dogs with CAH and humans with WD, but liver transplantation is not an option for dogs with CAH. This comparative review highlights the similarities and differences between CAH and WD, offering insights that may improve our understanding and management of copper associated liver diseases in dogs and human patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Minimal Criteria to Screen for Wilson Disease: A Delphi Consensus in the United States

  International Journal of Hepatology · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Background: The objective was to develop consensus on minimal screening criteria for Wilson disease (WD) diagnosis in US gastroenterology and neurology settings for implementation in clinical practice to support the timely diagnosis of WD. Methods: A modified Delphi panel with three rounds was conducted. The first round survey was developed with input from a steering committee of four clinical experts in WD who set the analysis rules (consensus: ≥ 80%). Other US gastroenterologists/hepatologists or neurologists with experience treating WD were recruited using purposive sampling, and 32 were invited to participate. Results: Eleven panelists completed the three rounds. Consensus was reached for 94/126 (74.6%) statements. All panelists agreed that hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, or stigmata of liver disease are suggestive of WD in patients with a neuropsychiatric manifestation; a neurologic exam, 24-h urine copper, ceruloplasmin, and Kayser-Fleischer (KF) ring examination should be performed; and liver biopsy and liver copper determination can be a useful final stage to confirm WD diagnosis. Panelists agreed that noninvasive testing should be performed prior to invasive testing and that the absence of KF rings does not exclude a diagnosis of WD. Panelists agreed that it is important to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team. Conclusions: This study identified minimal criteria to raise suspicion of WD, minimal tests to confirm or rule out a WD diagnosis, and areas with poor consensus to be explored in future research. These results can complement clinical practice guidance and support cross-specialty collaboration.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Rapid transcellular hepatic copper depletion by ARBM-101 rescues severe liver damage in Wilson disease rodents

  Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  In Wilson disease (WD), excess copper provokes hepatocyte death due to impaired copper excretion, ultimately causing either acute or chronic liver damage. Current therapeutic compounds fail to reduce hepatic copper near to physiological levels, leaving lifelong, several times daily treatment as the only choice for patients. We have previously shown that a bacteria-derived methanobactin, termed ARBM-101, most efficiently depleted excess liver copper in still healthy WD rats. Here we report, for the first time, that mechanistically this is due to endosomal/lysosomal/exosomal trafficking of ARBM-101 in WD hepatocytes, allowing for copper mass excretion via the biliary/fecal route. We further show that such liver copper excretion occurs within minutes in vivo to detect copper-bound ARBM-101 in feces. This efficacy allows for specialized treatment regimen to rescue acute liver failure in WD rats. Moreover, also shown for the first time, it avoids fibrosis development in WD mice. Thus, judging from the results in two rodent species and human hepatocytes, this study advocates the development of ARBM-101 for WD therapy.

  PublisherDOI

• Oral bis-choline tetrathiomolybdate rapidly improves copper balance in patients with Wilson disease

  Journal of Hepatology · 2025-09-22 · 4 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Comparative management practices of Wilson disease in Californian and Italian providers

  Journal of Health Population and Nutrition · 2025-09-30

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  There is a scarcity of randomized and high-quality studies to aid clinicians in management and treatment of Wilson disease (WD). Even amongst society practice guidelines in North America and Europe, diagnosis and management of WD varies. The aim of this study is to elucidate WD diagnosis and treatment patterns by conducting a survey of clinicians in California and comparing the results to clinicians in Italy as a representation of European practices. We developed a 51-item survey assessing WD diagnostics, therapeutics, and disease monitoring. The survey was distributed through email to 1330 California gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and movement neurologists and to multiple Italian academic medical centers. Thirty-two providers in California completed the survey encompassing a total of 236 patients. Twenty-three providers in Italy with a total of 390 patients in their care responded. About half of California providers perform a full neurologic evaluation before initiating therapy in patients with predominantly hepatic presentation while 71% of Italian providers perform one. In patients with predominantly hepatic presentation, 47.4% of California providers use trientine as initial therapy, 26.3% use d-penicillamine, and 10.5% use combination therapy with chelators and zinc. No one reported using zinc monotherapy as initial treatment. Italian providers report using d-penicillamine as initial therapy in 85% of cases, followed by zinc salt (10%), and none uses trientine. WD patients on combination therapy with chelators and zinc are followed by 34% of California respondents and 32% of Italian respondents. In patients with predominantly neurologic manifestations, initial therapy choices are variable with 38.9% of California providers using d-penicillamine, 16.7% using zinc salts, 11.1% using trientine, and 22% using other therapies. 55% of Italian providers use d-penicillamine, 20% combination chelator and zinc, 15%, trientine and 10% zinc salts. Changing from initial therapy to maintenance therapy in both surveys occur after stabilization of clinical presentation, liver function tests, and 24-hour urinary copper in 72% and 86% of California and Italian providers respectively. Our findings highlight the significant variability in initial therapies for WD amongst California and European/Italian providers. Despite the wide use of combination therapy of chelators and zinc, its needs further exploration.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Anatomic Staging of H3 G34-Mutant Diffuse Hemispheric Glioma

  Neurology · 2025-07-10

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: H3 G34-mutant diffuse hemispheric gliomas are rare, aggressive primary brain tumors predominantly affecting young patients. We investigated the prognostic value of anatomic staging (AS)-a system previously validated in adult-type diffuse gliomas-in this molecularly distinct tumor type. METHODS: ) status-were used to analyze overall survival across stages. RESULTS: = 0.01). DISCUSSION: AS is reproducible and prognostically relevant for H3 G34-mutant gliomas, providing insights into tumor spread. It may inform treatment decisions, but larger studies are needed to confirm its clinical utility.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Correction To: Nutritional Ketosis for Weight Management and Reversal of Metabolic Syndrome

  Current Nutrition Reports · 2025-03-03 · 1 citations

  erratumOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Charles H. Halsted

  Baylor College of Medicine

  49 shared

• Samuel W. French

  University of California, Los Angeles

  38 shared

• Christopher L. Bowlus

  35 shared

• Nancy L. Keim

  Western Human Nutrition Research Center

  32 shared

• Peter J. Havel

  29 shared

• Kimber L. Stanhope

  University of California, Davis

  28 shared

• Maria Catrina D. Virata

  27 shared

• Sridevi Devaraj

  Baylor College of Medicine

  27 shared

Labs

• Gastroenterology and HepatologyPI

Education

• MAS, UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center

  University of California, Davis

  2008

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Internal Medicine

  University of Applied Sciences Kiel

  2004

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Gastroenterology

  Università degli Studi di Padova

  2004

• MD

  University of Padua

  2000

Awards & honors

• Internal Medicine Faculty Research Award (2015)
• Chairs Recognition Award (2019)
• UC Davis CTSC TL1 pre- and post-doctoral students Clinical R…
• Fred and Pat Anderson Endowed Chair in Liver Research (2015-…