Metabolic Disease Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Sanford Burnham Prebys

Category: Metabolic Disease

Institute News

Ketogenesis prevents fatty liver disease

Authorsgammon
Date

January 12, 2015

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A new study, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, suggests that ketogenesis may prevent non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). NAFLD is term used to describe the accumulation of fat in the liver of people who drink little or no alcohol. It affects approximately one billion individuals worldwide, has become a leading cause of cirrhosis, and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks and stroke. Continue reading “Ketogenesis prevents fatty liver disease”

Institute News

Sanford-Burnham’s Steven R. Smith leads clinical study on new weight-loss treatment

Authorsgammon
Date

November 3, 2014

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In a new pilot study led by principal investigator Steven R. Smith, MD, the weight-loss drug lorcaserin (LOR), was tested in combination with the drug phentermine (phen) to compare safety and weight loss to administration of LOR alone. The results showed that the combination of drugs more than doubled weight loss achieved compared to LOR alone, and that treatment with LOR plus phen was not associated with any additional adverse events compared either drug alone. Continue reading “Sanford-Burnham’s Steven R. Smith leads clinical study on new weight-loss treatment”

Institute News

Sanford-Burnham’s 36th Annual Symposium: The Microbiome and Human Health

Authorsgammon
Date

November 3, 2014

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On Thursday, October 30, 2014, Sanford-Burnham hosted more than 250 attendees at its 36th annual symposium to hear opinion-leading scientists discuss their latest findings on the microbiome. The microbiome is a relatively new frontier for research scientists with aims to understand how the trillions of microbes—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and others—that live in our nose, mouth, gut, and skin interact with human cells to influence health and disease. Continue reading “Sanford-Burnham’s 36th Annual Symposium: The Microbiome and Human Health”

Institute News

New molecular markers for prostate cancer identified

Authorsgammon
Date

October 9, 2014

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A team of scientists led by Sanford-Burnham’s Ranjan J. Perera, PhD, has identified a set of RNA molecules that are detectable in tissue samples and urine of prostate cancer patients, but not in normal healthy individuals. The study sets the stage for the development of more-sensitive and specific non-invasive tests for prostate cancer than those currently available, which could result in fewer unnecessary prostate biopsies with less treatment-related morbidity, according to a new study in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics. Continue reading “New molecular markers for prostate cancer identified”

Institute News

A signature for early-stage heart failure could improve diagnosis and prevent disease progression

AuthorGuest Blogger
Date

September 30, 2014

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This is a post by our guest writer Janelle Weaver, PhD

Heart failure affects about five million people in the United States, and about half of these individuals die within five years of diagnosis. This condition occurs when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, and evidence suggests that abnormalities in energy metabolism play an important role. However, many past studies addressing the underlying molecular mechanisms have focused on severe, late-stage heart failure, potentially missing out on early events that could guide the development of treatment strategies for early disease stages. Continue reading “A signature for early-stage heart failure could improve diagnosis and prevent disease progression”

Institute News

A nuclear receptor that binds more than 5,000 sites in the genome—and promotes angiogenesis.

Authorsgammon
Date

July 17, 2014

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The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a nuclear hormone receptor—meaning that it sits on various parts of the genome—and turns genes “on” and “off.” RXR is known to play an important role in many fundamental biological processes such as reproduction, cellular differentiation, bone development, and hematopoiesis. Continue reading “A nuclear receptor that binds more than 5,000 sites in the genome—and promotes angiogenesis.”

Institute News

Genes promote hardening of arteries in type 2 diabetes

Authorsgammon
Date

July 15, 2014

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Type 2 diabetes has become a national epidemic, affecting nearly 26 million children and adults in the U.S. and approximately 170 million worldwide. According to the American Diabetes Association, $245 billion in costs are associated with diabetes, and 1 in 5 health-care dollars is spent caring for diabetics. A significant portion of the health costs associated with diabetes are those attributed to complications of the disease—including heart attacks, heart failure, stroke, dementia, chronic kidney disease, and amputations of the lower limbs. These complications emerge partly from hardening of the arteries caused by calcium deposits—a process known as arterial calcification—and are much more common in type 2 diabetics than in non-diabetics. Continue reading “Genes promote hardening of arteries in type 2 diabetes”