A national research project will investigate how insulin resistance, a precursor to Type 2 diabetes and obesity, is inherited in three generations of family members. The study aims to identify specific genes responsible for these conditions.
A Wake Forest University study found that soy high in isoflavones can dramatically lower LDL cholesterol levels by up to 10% and total cholesterol by up to 9%. The study also showed a dose-response relationship between isoflavone content and cholesterol-lowering effects.
Rosiglitazone reduces insulin resistance by 33% and improves pancreatic function in individuals with type 2 diabetes. The treatment also reduces insulin levels in the blood, potentially alleviating the need for regular insulin injections.
Recent studies have found that high cortisol levels might be a cause of depression, potentially leading to new antidepressant drug strategies. Cortisol-lowering drugs have shown promise in reducing depressive symptoms, especially in patients with high cortisol levels.
A team of international researchers has identified the gene responsible for congenital generalized lipodystrophy, a severe form of lipodystrophy characterized by selective loss of body fat from birth. The discovery is expected to provide insights into common obesity and metabolic disorders.
Researchers have shown how the fat hormone leptin works in the brain to trigger nerve cells that control eating. Leptin activates 'anorectic' nerve cells releasing appetite-suppressing neuropeptides, while inhibiting 'orexigenic' cells that release appetite-regulatory neuropeptides.
Researchers found that a single night of disrupted sleep increases levels of interleukin-6, leading to daytime fatigue and decreased well-being. Healthy young men with normal sleep patterns experienced increased IL-6 secretion during the day after missing a night of sleep.
Researchers will investigate whether azithromycin reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes in people with documented heart disease. A total of 4,000 volunteers will be recruited nationally to participate in the Azithromycin and Coronary Event Study.
A study by UMass researchers found that athletes taking andro steroid may experience mood changes and affect their brains. The steroid alters neurotransmitters and stimulates libido and aggression, similar to testosterone.
The StAR protein plays a key role in the steroid-making system by partially unfolding to form a 'molten globule' conformation that enables it to work inside cells. This flexible state lowers energy required for channel opening in mitochondrial membrane, acting as an on/off switch for cholesterol transport.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine found that combined hormone therapy of estrogen and androgen increased muscle mass and decreased fat in postmenopausal women. The therapy showed an average 2-4% reduction in body fat and a 4-6% increase in muscle mass.
A Penn State-led study found lower concentrations of a stress hormone in pregnant teens are linked to greater numbers of depression and conduct disorder symptoms. The hormone, corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH), is associated with emotions and behavior during pregnancy.
A study found that middle-aged men with higher testosterone levels are less likely to experience high blood pressure, heart attacks, and obesity. However, they are more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking.
Researchers discovered a genetic mutation responsible for a rare form of treatable dwarfism, affecting 105 family members in northeastern Brazil. The study suggests the mutation could be used as a prenatal screening test for the disorder.
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found a strong link between genes and the accumulation of extra belly fat and insulin resistance. The study suggests that people with certain genetic traits are more likely to develop type II diabetes and abdominal visceral fat, even if they follow healthy lifestyles.
A study of 254 women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) found that 7.5% had undiagnosed diabetes, compared to 1% in the general population. Insulin resistance is a key factor in PCOS-related glucose intolerance and diabetes risk.
A new study at Johns Hopkins suggests a safe and effective way to detect left-over thyroid cells using PCR technology. The test relies on detecting genes for thyroglobulin in patients' blood, allowing them to stay on their thyroid hormone medication while reducing the risk of false results.
A new form of inherited dwarfism, known as Dwarfism of Sindh, has been identified in a large Pakistani family. The condition is caused by a genetic mutation in the growth hormone-releasing hormone receptor (GHRH-R), leading to growth hormone deficiency and dwarfism.
A researcher has reported significant findings on relaxin's effects on the cervix in humans and rats, suggesting its potential as a cervical softening agent in labor induction. Relaxin binds to cells in the human cervix, promoting growth and softening of the cervix during pregnancy.
A recent international study involving 842 patients found that statins significantly raised high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, particularly in those with low HDL. The study's results challenge the long-held emphasis on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides, suggesting that increasing HDL may be a crucial facto...
Daily consumption of a tomato-based juice supplemented with vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene significantly decreased breath pentane excretion and improved LDL oxidation resistance. Increased plasma lycopene concentrations were also found to be correlated with antioxidant defenses.
A Lewin study confirms Diabetes Treatment Centers of America's Diabetes NetCareSM program improves health status by increasing eye exams, foot exams, and cholesterol screenings. The program also reduces medical costs, including hospital admissions and inpatient costs.
Researchers at Penn State found that sex hormones have little effect on adolescent sexual behavior after a nearly two-year study. Social factors like peer pressure are believed to have a much larger impact on behavior.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered a protein called Replication Protein A (RPA) that plays a crucial role in regulating cell differentiation and proliferation. The study's findings suggest that RPA could be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in cancer treatment, offering new hope for gene therapy.
William E. Paul, a prominent NIH AIDS researcher, has been awarded the 1998 Abbott Laboratories Award in Clinical and Diagnostic Immunology. He made significant contributions to understanding cytokine biology, T-cell reproduction, and B-cell activation.
A new study from the University at Buffalo found that adults treated for growth-hormone deficiency as children have similar quality of life to their healthy same-sex siblings. Despite expecting benefits, the study revealed little relationship between adult height or growth hormone treatment and reports of psychological and social funct...
Researchers discovered that a genetic translocation between chromosomes is responsible for the deadly uncontrolled cell growth in APL. The hormone retinoic acid plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and overcoming this translocation, making it a promising treatment for most cases.
Researchers found that oral administration of a steroid hormone boosts circulating leptin levels in humans, with higher levels observed in obese individuals. The study suggests that overweight people still have leptin reserves and may benefit from high-dose leptin therapy.
Researchers found leptin in human breast milk, which correlates with the amount of body fat in lactating mothers. The hormone may play a role in infant development and potentially influence weight gain or obesity later in life.
Research by Matthew Hardy and colleagues found that stress hormones overpower the enzymes responsible for producing testosterone in testes, leading to a suppression of sperm formation. The study provides insight into male reproduction and may aid the design of new male contraceptives.
Researchers found that estrogen replacement therapy accelerated wound healing in elderly postmenopausal women, outperforming those not on hormone therapy. The study suggests that hormone replacement therapy may benefit chronic wounds in older patients.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital identified a new rare form of diabetes, MODY4, associated with the ipf-1 gene. The study found that most family members with diabetes carried a single copy of the mutation, highlighting the critical role of this gene in insulin secretion.
Researchers found that supplements significantly reduced bone loss and increased bone density in older men, while also reducing the risk of fractures. The study's findings suggest that calcium and vitamin D supplementation can be an effective lifelong strategy for maintaining bone health.
Researchers have identified a new compound, GW5638, that strengthens bones and improves cardiovascular health like natural estrogen, while stopping the growth of cancer in uterine cells. The compound's potential may replace tamoxifen as a treatment for breast cancer.
Research shows that older adults have a decreased ability to oxidize fat during exercise, with only one-third the fat oxidation of younger counterparts. However, an intensive 16-week exercise program can help restore normal fat oxidation patterns in elderly individuals.
Researchers identified specific receptors for interleukin-1 on somatotrope cells in the pituitary gland, suggesting a direct link between the immune and endocrine systems. This discovery may help understand how the immune system regulates animal growth and disease.
Thyroid screening can prevent mild problem from becoming severe and reverse undiagnosed symptoms, according to a Johns Hopkins study. Screening costs are comparable to other preventative tests, with greatest savings from lowering cholesterol and heart disease risk.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a hormonal link between nutrition and reproduction, with leptin serving as a metabolic signal to the reproductive system. The study provides an explanation for how the body's energy stores determine reproductive readiness.
A new study by Johns Hopkins Medicine reveals that testosterone replacement therapy may improve visual and spatial skills, as well as verbal fluency and memory in men with low testosterone. The findings suggest a potential role for testosterone in cognitive function and brain function.
A Johns Hopkins study found that declining testosterone levels in HIV-positive men can predict weight loss and increased risk of death. Researchers measured testosterone in 26 men and discovered a significant decline in hormone levels among those who experienced weight loss.