Metabolism News and Research

Latest Metabolism News and Research

3-D structure of HNF-4α reveals new pockets that could be targeted with therapeutic drugs

Researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute have determined the complete three-dimensional structure of a protein called HNF-4α.

14 Mar 2013

Studies show protein semaphorin 3A helps detect acute kidney injury

A guidance cue that helps kidneys form may also be a red flag that they are in danger, researchers report.

13 Mar 2013

Bitter melon juice restricts ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose

A University of Colorado Cancer study published this week in the journal Carcinogenesis shows that bitter melon juice restricts the ability of pancreatic cancer cells to metabolize glucose, thus cutting the cells' energy source and eventually killing them.

13 Mar 2013

Lithera commences LIPO-202 Phase 2b trial for reduction of subcutaneous fat

Lithera, Inc., a clinical stage pharmaceutical company focused on lifestyle and medical indications in aesthetic medicine and ophthalmology, announced today that the first patient has been treated with LIPO-202 (Salmeterol Xinafoate for Injection) in its 500-patient Phase 2b "RESET" trial.

12 Mar 2013

Researchers uncover clear genetic link between fat and bone mass

When it comes to body shape, diet and exercise can only take us so far. Our body shape and geometry are largely determined by genetic factors. Genetics also have an impact on our body composition - including soft fat tissue and hard bone tissue - and can lead to excess fat or osteoporosis.

12 Mar 2013

Heavy drinkers have more rapid acetate uptake and metabolism: Study

In addition to its well-known effects on the CNS, alcohol consumption has a significant impact on metabolism. After consumption, the body rapidly begins converting ethanol to acetate, which can serve as an energy source for the brain and other organs.

11 Mar 2013

Researchers identify new mechanism in onset of motor neuron diseases

The British astrophysicist Stephen Hawking is likely to be the world's most famous person living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. ALS is a progressive disease affecting motor neurons, nerve cells that control muscle function, and nearly always leads to death.

11 Mar 2013

Combining mitochondrial inhibitors could improve efficacy of BRAF inhibitors in melanoma

A multi-institutional study has revealed that BRAF-positive metastatic malignant melanomas develop resistance to treatment with drugs targeting the BRAF/MEK growth pathway through a major change in metabolism.

11 Mar 2013

Aarbepoetin alfa does not improve anemic heart failure patients' health

Researchers from Cleveland Clinic and Sweden-based Sahlgrenska University Hospital have found that a commonly used drug to treat anemia in heart failure patients -darbepoetin alfa - does not improve patients' health, nor does it reduce their risk of death from heart failure.

11 Mar 2013

Armetheon plans to develop tecarfarin against prosthetic heart valves or chronic renal dysfunction

Armetheon, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, announced today that it plans to develop its novel oral anti-coagulant (OAC), tecarfarin (ATI-5923), for a patient population which includes those who have prosthetic heart valves or chronic renal dysfunction.

11 Mar 2013

Drugs that combat ageing may be available within five years

Drugs that combat ageing may be available within five years, following landmark work led by an Australian researcher.

11 Mar 2013

Exercise may play a key role in helping children cope with stressful situations

Exercise may play a key role in helping children cope with stressful situations, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

8 Mar 2013

Wiley, BPS and ASPET partner to publish Pharmacology Research & Perspectives

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET) and the British Pharmacological Society (BPS) announced today their partnership to publish the new open access, peer-reviewed journal, Pharmacology Research & Perspectives, which will open for submissions in April 2013.

8 Mar 2013

SRSF1 protein can prevent cancerous proliferation by stabilizing p53

Some cellular proteins have multiple, and occasionally opposing, functions. Professor Adrian Krainer and colleagues at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory demonstrate in a paper published online today in Molecular Cell that the oncogenic protein SRSF1 can also trigger a stop in cell growth and prevent cancerous proliferation by stabilizing p53, the powerful tumor-suppressor protein.

8 Mar 2013

Cholesterol levels seem to fluctuate significantly with turning seasons

Cholesterol levels seem to fluctuate significantly with the turning seasons, which may leave some people with borderline high cholesterol at greater cardiovascular risk during the winter months, according to research being presented at the American College of Cardiology's 62nd Annual Scientific Session.

7 Mar 2013

Acceleron commences ACE-536 phase 2 study in beta-thalassemia

Acceleron Pharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing protein therapeutics for cancer and orphan diseases, today announced the initiation of a phase 2 study of its novel, investigational protein therapeutic, ACE-536, to treat patients with beta-thalassemia, a genetic hematologic disorder causing chronic and life-threatening anemia and serious complications affecting the spleen, liver and heart.

7 Mar 2013

Salty diet may trigger autoimmune disease

Results from two studies published in Nature show that eating a salty diet may trigger the development of autoimmunity.

7 Mar 2013

Women with gestational diabetes have increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Women who were diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy face a significantly higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes in the future, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

7 Mar 2013

Vitamin B12 and folate alleviate negative symptoms in patients with schizophrenia

Adding the dietary supplements folate and vitamin B12 to treatment with antipsychotic medication improved a core symptom component of schizophrenia in a study of more than 100 patients.

7 Mar 2013

Carbamylation contributes to heart disease risk among patients with CKD undergoing dialysis

Kidney failure affects 25 million individuals in the U.S. and many more throughout the world. Loss of kidney function means the majority of these patients must undergo dialysis treatments to remove excess fluids and waste products. Although dialysis therapy coupled with medication has improved the life expectancy for people with kidney failure, for unknown reasons, patients' risk of sudden heart failure and death remains 10 to 20 times greater than average.

7 Mar 2013