MORE THAN 2,500 RESEARCH FINDINGS AFFECTING THE SPECTRUM OF HUMAN HEALTH TAKE CENTER STAGE AT 115^th ANNUAL GATHERING OF RESEARCH PHYSIOLOGISTS

April 18, 2002 - Bethesda, MD -- Research results affecting the spectrum of human health will be offered at the 115th annual gathering of the American Physiological Society (APS), part of the "Experimental Biology 2002” conference. More than 14,000 researchers will attend the conference being held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, New Orleans, LA from April 20-24, 2002.

The APS is one of the world’s most prestigious organizations for physiological scientists. Founded in 1887 the Society has more than 10,000 members and publishes 3,800 articles in its 14 peer-reviewed journals each year. Physiologists specialize in understanding the processes and functions underlying human health and disease.

Highlights

Highlights of this year’s scientific presentations include:

NEW FINDINGS COULD LEAD TO INNOVATIVE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR PATIENTS WITH SICKLE CELL: Sickle cell disease is comprised of a group of inherited disorders of red blood cells. The condition is characterized by chronic anemia, disabling recurrent pain, and premature death. It is found disproportionately among those of African descent, and affects approximately 60,000 Americans and millions worldwide. The only approved treatments for this disorder are pain relief, adequate hydration, oxygenation, bone marrow stimulation, and blood transfusion. The results of a new study may lead to the development of additional therapies that stop or inhibit the deadly coagulation.

NEW INDICATORS FOR PREDICTING HYPERTENSION IN AFRICAN-AMERICAN MALES: The threat of hypertension is real and deadly. Some 15,000 people die each year from this disorder and more than 32 million visit the doctor's office each year for treatment. The disease affects African Americans disproportionately, with an estimated 35 percent of African American males having the disorder, thus putting them at higher risk for hypertension than other demographic groups. For years, the scientific community has proposed that a variety of environmental, behavioral and biological factors account for the racial differences in the prevalence and severity of hypertension. A new research study suggests that arterial compliance may be an indicator of potential hypertension in African American males.

PILOT STUDY MAY OFFER PROMISE OF MARKER FOR OVARIAN CANCER: This pilot study is the first to demonstrate the correlation between ANP and proANP- (1-30) in both the serum and ascites in women with epithelial ovarian cancer. Malignant ascites associated with ovarian cancer is an exudate, or fluid out of a tissue resulting from injury. Therefore, it is plausible that the presence of these substances in ascites is related to leaky vascular networks.

HIGH RISK CHILDREN AT A LOWER SOCIOECONOMIC SCHOOL PROVIDE EVIDENCE THAT A HORMONE MAY INDICATE TYPE 2 DIABETES SUSCEPTIBILITY: Lower socioeconomic children are at high risk of developing obesity and type 2 diabetes. The mechanisms that contribute to worsening insulin resistance in the growing child are unknown. Of interest is the recently discovered “adiponectin,” a peptide hormone derived from adipose (i.e., “fat”) tissue, which is one of several new hormones found to be involved in obesity, and is related to susceptibility to non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes. A new study offers the first findings regarding adiponectin levels in children and their correlations to measures such as body composition and fitness and other obesity related risk factors.

ANTICONVULSANT DRUGS FOUND TO IMPACT EPILEPTIC CHILDREN’S ABILITY TO RECALL INFORMATION: The findings of a study from a Brazil suggest the potential benefits from a new cooperation between physicians and educators to ensure that cognitive stimulus be offered to offset the side-effects of these necessary medicines. 

RESEARCHERS DEMONSTRATE THAT AN EXTRACT FROM GREEN TEA COULD AID IN ALLEVIATING THE SHORTAGE OF LIVERS AVAILABLE FOR TRANSPLANT: Consumers of Japanese green tea have for centuries believed the ancient Chinese proverb, “Better to be deprived of food for three days, than tea for one,” believing that the drink has been effective in preventing cancer and cardiac conditions. Today, researchers have demonstrated that an extract from the popular tea could aid in alleviating the shortage of livers available for transplantation.

MALE BEER-GUT MAY BE A RED FLAG FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AND OTHER HEALTH PROBLEMS: Abdominal obesity is associated with a clustering of several cardiovascular disease risk factors and as such is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality. This “clustering” of risk factors, often referred to as “Syndrome X” or the “Metabolic Syndrome,” is more closely associated with abdominal visceral fat than obesity per se. Some 47 million persons suffer from obesity. The characteristics of the Metabolic Syndrome include a large waistline, elevated triglycerides, low levels of high-density lipoprotein, high blood pressure and high blood sugar. A new study of l7 sedentary, obese men finds it is possible that weight loss may improve abdominal visceral fat and, in turn, lower their risk of cardiovascular disease.

ELIMINATING BATTLEFIELD TRANSFUSIONS: The need for blood transfusions on the battlefield presents a multitude of logistical problems. For cities removed from the fighting, the treatment of mass casualties where blood might not be immediately available presents similar logistical concerns. In both instances the difference between life and death may rest upon the physician’s ability to transfer a patient to a geographic region where blood transfusion delivery is less problematic. A unique blood plasma volume expander may reduce or eliminate the need for blood transfusions in such situations.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN MUSCLE FATIGUE CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE USE OF THE BODY'S AEROBIC PATHWAYS: Differences in fatigue between men and women have been found in a number of previous research studies. The collective results are mixed, but a significant number of findings indicate that women fatigue less than men. One proposed mechanism suggested to explain this difference in fatigability is that women are better able to utilize oxidative pathways of metabolism to provide the energy for muscle contraction. New research validates this hypothesis.

A POPULAR JAPANESE PLUM, NOW AVAILABLE IN THE US, MAY HELP PREVENT THE ONSET OF CARDIAC DISEASE: Americans believe that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” In Japan, a similar saying holds true for the umeboshi, the Japanese plum. Recently, umeboshi plums started to become widely available in specialty stores throughout the United States. Could Americans some day reach for the Japanese plum instead of the apple? Perhaps.

DIABETES IS TIED TO THE ALTERING OF THE HEART'S CIRCADIAN CLOCK: A new research study has found that diabetes, the cause of numerous heart disorders, likely disrupts the organ's circadian clock. This could lead to the heart failing to initiate important stimuli, thereby contributing to heart failure.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS AND DIET: An earlier study of health habits among a sample of urban teenagers found African American females had the poorest health habits due to their high intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol, salt and simple sugars. The results of a new study of 108 African American mothers and their daughters residing in Dayton, Ohio combined with earlier studies indicates a need for improved nutritional practices for African American females with low incomes.

HEART DISORDERS, OBESITY AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS IN AFRICAN AMERICAN FEMALES; African American girls are more likely to be overweight than Caucasian girls. Black women are 60 percent more likely to become obese than are white women. Obesity can lead to cardiovascular problems, including the Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), an inherited or acquired condition of the heart’s electrical system. Although it is known that African Americans have a higher incidence of obesity compared to Caucasians, race-specific information is not available for the prevalence of LQTS. The results of a new research study may shed new light.

DIETARY SOY AND FLAXSEED HAVE POSITIVE EFFECT ON OBESITY AND DIABETES: Obesity and diabetes mellitus are two nutritional disorders that have become major public health concerns in industrialized countries because of their epidemic proportions and association with major cardiovascular risk factors that are responsible for excess morbidity and mortality. Researchers are looking for ways to combat these diseases. Plant-based, edible compounds are one answer, an animal study finds.

ANOTHER IMPORTANT REASON TO KEEP INFANTS AND CHILDREN AWAY FROM SECOND HAND SMOKE: Cigarette smoking is well known to cause problems with the pulmonary surfactant system. Millions of people smoke and millions more are either exposed to side-stream smoke, the smoke produced by a burning cigarette between inhalations, or second-hand smoke, the smoke exhaled by the smoker and inhaled by another. There is accumulating evidence that side-stream smoke exposure may be just as harmful to the lungs of non-smokers as smoking is to the lungs of smokers. An investigation into the association between surfactant production and utilization and cigarette smoke exposure to the non-smoker has been conducted using rats.

PHYSICAL EFFORT DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY LEAD TO WORSENING OF FIBROMYALGIA SYMPTOMS OR ABNORMAL PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSES: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome characterised by chronic widespread musculoskeletal pain, with maladaptive responses to food and the environment. The underlying cause is still unknown for this disorder that affects approximately four million Americans. A Norwegian researcher has examined whether the metabolic responses induced by bicycle exercise, differed between the FM patients and controls.

CAN A BASIC TECHNOLOGY USED TO MEASURE MOTION REPLACE MORE EXPENSIVE TESTING PROCEDURES WITH THE SAME RELIABILITY? The great nuclear-powered aircraft carriers now stationed in the Indian Ocean are 1,092 feet long, or about one-fifth of a mile. These largest of warships have more than 11 decks, a flight deck area measuring four-and-one-half acres, and more than 3,000 rooms and compartments. A team of researchers has suggested that pedometer based-technology may offer the potential for a lower-cost alternative for determining total daily energy expenditure of sailors at sea.

TWO INDIVIDUALS PARTICIPATING IN THE SAME AEROBIC ACTIVITY FOR THE SAME AMOUNT OF TIME, MAY ACHIEVE UNEQUAL AEROBIC RESULTS: More than 40 million Americans participate at least once in a form of aerobic exercise every year. Despite the fact that two individuals may participate in the same activity for the same amount of time, one may achieve greater more aerobic capacity. The reason? Genetics.

"BERRY, BERRY, BERRY…GOOD!” - Red berry fruits -- such as the elderberry, chokeberry and bilberry -- have been used in folk medicine in Europe and North America for centuries. Hippocrates referred to the elderberry tree as his “medicine chest” while less famous healers have used the fruit as anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, diuretic and laxative agents, as well as for the treatment of dysentery, stomach ailments, scurvy and urinary tract problems. Four new studies strongly suggest that components from three types of red berry fruits may show Hippocrates was right about the beneficial vascular effects.

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