Consequences of fructose consumption not so sweet - UC Davis ...

FructoseContinued from page 1important because it shows very clearmetabolic differences between glucoseand fructose. That difference had notbeen well documented in humans untilthis study,” Stanhope added.The current study, even moreambitious, encompasses 200 subjectsaged 18 to 40, who range from normalweight to overweight. Participants areorganized into eight research studygroups to compare the effects ofcommonly consumed sugars – highfructosecorn syrup (HFCS) and sucrose– with those of glucose and fructose.Participants each begin with threedays of baseline study at the CCRC,followed by a 12-day outpatient periodand conclude with a return visit to theCCRC. Even though the study is stillunder way, initial results were publishedin the Journal of Clinical Endocrinologyand Metabolism in October 2011.“Early results from the first 48subjects showed very clearly thatbeverages sweetened with high-fructosecorn syrup increased lipids – riskfactors for cardiovascular disease –comparably to fructose and significantlymore than glucose does. That isimportant because these results – evenmore directly than our first study –suggest that the association betweenhigh-sugar diets and cardiovasculardisease may specifically be due to causeand effect,” Stanhope said. “Two weeksafter giving the subjects high-fructosecorn syrup, we saw an increase in therisk factors for cardiovascular disease,specifically LDL cholesterol andapolipoprotein-B.”Stanhope’s collaborators on thesestudies include principal investigatorPeter Havel, a UC Davis professor ofmolecular biosciences and nutrition;Nancy Keim at the USDA WesternHuman Nutrition Research Center;and Lars Berglund, John McGahanand Valentina Medici of the UC DavisSchool of Medicine.Throughout the studies, CCRC’sresearch nursing team managed allsubject care activity and implementedthe protocol.“Our nurses assessed eligibility,collected and processed more than200 blood specimens for serialblood sampling, conducted oralglucose tolerance tests and heparintrials, collected and processed urinesamples, dispensed study beverages asoutlined in the protocol, and ensuredsafety and protocol adherence,” saidregistered nurse and CCRC AssociateDirector Nicole Mullen. The CCRC’snurse practitioner prepared drafts ofphysician orders and nursing flowsheets that mirrored the IRB-approvedprotocol; gathered medical historiesfrom subjects and conducted physicalexams; conveyed information to studyphysicians; and performed the glutealadipose tissue biopsies.“Our exercise physiologistconducted DEXA scans, measuredtotal body water using a bioimpedancespectroscopy device, conductedmetabolic testing, and compileddata for the principal investigatormonthly,” Mullen added. Further,the CCRC’s dietitian supervised mealpreparation and trained the study staffin food-handling safety and labelingregulations.Stanhope credits the CTSC staff andthe CCRC facilities for contributing tothe success of her studies.“The reasons we were able to showthe differences so clearly are partlyrelated to how carefully the study wascontrolled using the CCRC facilities,”Stanhope said. She is preparing grantproposals for two more studies that sheplans to also conduct at the CCRC.The project described is supportedby the National Center for ResearchResources through grant #UL1RR024146and the National Center for AdvancingTranslational Sciences, National Institutesof Health.Kimber Stanhope is scheduled to presenta seminar titled “Are fructose-containingsugars (HFCS and sucrose) contributing tothe epidemic of metabolic syndrome?”at the CTSC on April 26 at noon.2 UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center • Spring 2012

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGEUC BRAID program fuels researchLars Berglund, M.D., Ph.D.“By sharing experiencesand ideas, leaders fromthe medical centers areseeking UC-wide solutions toadvance the potential beyondwhat any single center canaccomplish alone.”THE UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENTand Clinical and Translational ScienceAwards programs have launched anew initiative to fuel collaborativeresearch. Known as UC BiomedicalResearch Acceleration, Integrationand Development (UC BRAID), theprogram aims to harness and focusresearch in California, acceleratingacademic partnerships to benefithuman health.UC BRAID also aims to stimulateideas that challenge the status quoand overcome the phalanx of barriersthat limit biomedical research. Forexample, investigators face everchangingregulatory requirements andobstacles in their ability to advanceresearch that improves health whilemaintaining the highest level ofpatient safety and privacy. Our aim isto help investigators overcome thesedifficulties through an improvedorganizational infrastructure that issupportive while respecting the needfor compliance.By sharing experiences and ideas,leaders from the medical centersare seeking UC-wide solutions toadvance the potential beyond whatany single center can accomplishalone. To date, UC BRAID hasestablished working groups toaddress methods to streamlinecontracting practices, IRB review,informatics, drug discovery anddevelopment, and metrics to defineprocesses and outcomes of theprogram. Visit www.ucbraid.org/ formore information.FEATURED SCHOLARNephrologist Lorien DalrympleINFECTIONS THAT COMMONLYAFFLICT DIALYSIS PATIENTS may alsosubstantially increase their risk ofcardiovascular problems, according toresearch conducted by nephrologistLorien Dalrymple. Funded with aK12 grant from the CTSC, Dalrympleis investigating the types, rates andrisk factors for infection and theassociated cardiovascular consequencesof infection in patients with chronickidney disease (CKD) on dialysis.“I became interested inunderstanding the epidemiologyand consequences of infections inpatients with CKD because infectionand cardiovascular disease are leadingcauses of hospitalizations and death inthis population,” said Dalrymple, whoattributes her research career trajectoryto CTSC support.“Numerous CTSC resources havebeen fundamental to my success as aresearcher,” Dalrymple said. “CTSCoffers career development awards,mentorship, grant-writing support, andopportunities to present research andobtain directed feedback from peersat a critically important time, early incareer development.”Dalrymple’s work has impressedRichard L. Kravitz, associate director ofthe K12 Training Program in the CTSC.“Dr. Dalrymple is a terrificexemplar of a young, translationalclinician-investigator. Her work oninflammation, infection and heartLorien Dalrymple, M.D., M.P.H.disease in patients with CKD addressescritical problems at the margins ofnephrology, cardiology, infectiousdisease and implementation science,”said Kravitz, who is also co-vice chair ofresearch, and professor in the Departmentof Internal Medicine. “She recentlyreceived a very good score from NIHfor an extramurally supported K-award.We hope this award will propel her tofurther success.”UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center • Spring 20123

Linda Ziegahn, communityengagement manager at the CTSC,helps identify the communitiesinterested in partnering with UC Davisresearchers and introduces them to theresearchers who want to collaboratewith those communities as equalpartners focused on improving health.She hopes that the results of this pilotstudy will lead to larger studies andeventually to community interventionsthat will improve the overall health ofAfrican-American families.“In the future we would like tosee better access to fresh fruit andvegetables, schools assigning more time“By engaging those groupsunderserved by healthservices, we believe we arestarting in the right place.”~ Linda Ziegahn, CommunityEngagement Managerto physical education, and food banksrevising the type of food provided forlow-income families,” said Ziegahn.“By engaging those groups underservedby health services, we believe we arestarting in the right place.”In addition to this project,CTSC-funded community-engagedresearch studies also will investigatepremature births and low birthweights in African Americans,and physical- and mental-healthconditions among Iraqi refugees.The project described is supportedby the National Center forResearch Resources through grant#UL1RR024146 and the NationalCenter for Advancing TranslationalSciences, National Institutes of Health.NEW APPOINTMENTTed Wun named associate dean for researchTed Wun, chief of the Division ofHematology and Oncology, has beennamed associate dean for research atthe UC Davis School of Medicine. Inhis new role, he will be responsiblefor working with Lars Berglund,senior associate dean for research,in expanding the breadth and depthof research at the health system,as well as implementing the healthsystem’s 2011–2016 Strategic Plan toincrease high-impact, interdisciplinaryresearch. His duties also will includecoordinating efforts in implementationscience throughout the health systemand serving as the health systemrepresentative to the Association ofAcademic Health Centers.“I’ve had the privilege of workingwith Ted over the years, and he hascertainly proven his drive and dedicationto research,” said Berglund, who alsois program director of the Clinical andTranslational Science Center (CTSC). “Heis an excellent collaborator and will bringhis broad experience and perspective inshaping the future landscape of researchat the health system.”With this new appointment, Wunwill add to his roles as director of theCTSC Clinical Research Resources andFacilities program, chief of the Division ofHematology and Oncology at UC Davis,and chief of hematology oncology at VANorthern California Health Care System.Wun joined UC Davis Medical Centerin 1992 and is currently a professor ofmedicine in the Division of Hematologyand Oncology, as well as professor ofpathology and laboratory medicine.Ted Wun, M.D.He graduated magna cum laudefrom Union College in Schenectady,N.Y., and from Albany MedicalCollege. He is board-certified ininternal medicine, hematology andmedical oncology.UC Davis Clinical and Translational Science Center • Spring 20127