Additional CTSA Research Resources Accomplishments
In diabetes, investigators have pioneered studies on the optimal timing and dosing of insulin. This research has led to a reduction in the complications of diabetes in patients using insulin. Other related studies have helped understand how the body secretes insulin and how the body responds to insulin in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. This fundamental information is leading to new strategies to treat diabetes and delay diabetes related complications.
In osteoporosis, investigators have defined how loss of bone is a balance between increased bone breakdown and reduced bone formation. They have identified how responses to bone mass regulating hormones change with age, and have devised strategies to treat bone loss. Several of the new drugs to treat osteoporosis were first tested in the CRU.
In hypertension, investigators have been leaders in understanding why some patients respond or don't respond to certain blood pressure medicine. In many cases there is a genetic basis that makes a person either a responder or non-responder. This information is part of the emerging genomic revolution and will hopefully let doctors select the best drug for each patient on the basis of the patient's genetic profile. The hypertension group has also shown that older cheaper drugs have advantages over certain newer drugs. Together the goal is simple effective treatment for each patient.
In obesity, investigators have shown that "apple" vs. "pear" shaped people have different defects in how their body uses, stores and synthesizes fat. This is important because the location of the body fat stores in obese patients can have a large influence on their risk for obesity related diseases like diabetes and heart attack. Studies have also shown why it is easier for some people to gain weight and others when they are over-fed. Subjects who don't gain weight when over-fed seem to be more restless and fidget more and that has a powerful influence on weight gain with over feeding.
In aging investigators have made fundamental observations on the how and why muscle mass falls as we grow older. They are now conducting a series of studies designed to determine how exercise and hormone supplementation might reduce muscle loss with age or restore muscle mass in frail older people. This is important because the loss of muscle mass with aging makes older people more dependent and increases their risk of falling. Additionally, high muscle mass probably protects against diabetes and other metabolic diseases.
In sleep apnea, investigators have shown what happens to cause hypertension and increased risk of heart attack in patients with sleep apnea and what treatments work best to address these problems. This work is closely integrated with the work on diabetes, hypertension, and obesity noted above.
In vascular biology, investigators study the basic mechanisms of how newly discovered substances that contract or relax blood vessels work in humans. The effects of aging on blood vessel function have also been investigated, and the genetics of blood vessel function is currently under study. This information is essential to design treatment strategies that keep blood vessels healthy throughout life. This work is closely integrated with the CRU based work on diabetes, hypertension, obesity and sleep apnea noted above.
In gastrointestinal diseases, investigators have shown what defects in nervous system function contribute to a variety of gastrointestinal motility disorders. This research has led to trials of existing drugs and new compounds to treat these diseases. These research-based trials have altered the basic way these problems are diagnosed and treated.
In neurological diseases, studies on people with "low blood pressure" who routinely faint have led to understanding why the blood pressure is low, and also to new treatments of this devastating disease. This work is closely integrated with the CRU based work on hypertension, gastrointestinal diseases and vascular biology noted above.
In heart failure, ongoing studies are evaluating the best way to take care of older subjects with diseases of the heart valves. Other studies are looking at the best way to improve exercise capacity in patients with heart failure. This work is closely integrated with the CRU based work on hypertension, obesity, sleep apnea and vascular biology noted above.
In vaccine research, investigators have studied a host of issues related to new vaccines for emerging diseases, vaccine design, and the best strategies to vaccinate large populations of patients. They are also trying to understand why vaccines don't seem to be as effective in some patients. This group is also playing a key role in designing and testing vaccines and public health strategies directed against bio-terrorism.
