Mentor: Scott M. Grundy, M.D., Ph.D.
Director - Center for Human Nutrition
Department: Center for Human Nutrition
Room number: Y3.206
Mail Code: 9052
Phone number: 214-648-2890
E-mails: Scott.Grundy@utsouthwestern.edu
Project Type: patient-based research
Project Titles / Brief Description of Projects:
Dallas Heart Study The Dallas Heart Study (DHS) is a multi-ethnic, population-based
probability sample of Dallas County designed to define the social and the biological
variables contributing to ethnic differences in cardiovascular health at the
community level and to support hypothesis-driven research aimed at determining
the underlying mechanisms contributing to differences in cardiovascular risk.
Dr. Grundy's major interests are metabolic CV risk factors.
Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on hepatic fatty acid oxidation in moderately
obese men with hypertriglyceridemia [UT-IRB # 102008-045] This is a study designed
to explore the changes in fatty acid oxidation during treatment with omega-3-acid
ethyl esters. The hypothesis to be tested is that omega-3 fatty acids cause
an increase in plasma 3-hydroxybutyrate. If so, is most likely due to an increase
in fatty acid oxidation.
Effect of fenofibrate on hepatic fatty acid oxidation in moderately obese men
with hypertriglyceridemia [UT-IRB # 102008-049] The aim of this study is to
determine the changes in 3-hydroxybutyrate during treatment with fenofibrate.
The hypothesis to be tested is that fenofibrate causes an increase in plasma
3-hydroxy-butyrate. If so, is most likely due to an increase in fatty acid oxidation.
Adipose Tissue Phenotype in Obese Subjects [VA-IRB #08-065] The purpose of this
study is to phenotype adipose tissue in subjects who differ in fat distribution
but who have the same fat weight. The hypothesis to be tested is that subjects
with a high ratio of truncal-to-lower body fat have a high fraction of small
adipocytes but a reduced number of total fat cells.
Effects of Welchol on Postprandial Glycemia and Insulin Sensitivity [VA-IRB
#07-116] The study hypothesis is that Welchol therapy reduces postprandial glycemia
and improves insulin sensitivity in subjects with metabolic syndrome.
Susceptibility beyond obesity for ectopic liver fat: Body fat distribution and
metabolic susceptibility [VA-IRB #07-042] The primary hypothesis of this study
is that defective adipose tissue storage of fat in obese persons with predominant
upper body obesity contributes to metabolic abnormalities that underlie accumulation
of ectopic fat and development of the metabolic syndrome.
Adipocyte Size In Subcutaneous and Intraperitoneal Fat Depots In Severe Obesity
[VA-IRB #07-041] Our proposed study will address the following questions: (1)
do subcutaneous and omental adipocytes differ in size in obese persons? (2)
Does adipocyte size distribution in the two adipose tissue beds differ in (a)
men vs. women, (b) in patients with and without the metabolic syndrome, and
(c) in patients with and without type 2 diabetes, and (d) in obese and non-obese
subjects?
A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized, Parallel, Clinical Trial to
Study the Effect of Losartan Potassium on Endothelial Dysfunction and Insulin
Resistance in Obese Patients with Impaired Fasting Glucose [UT-IRB #032007-058]
The purpose of this study is to assess the treatment effect of losartan 100
mg vs. placebo on insulin sensitivity and digital pulse volume amplitude ratio
in adult obese patients with pre-hypertension or mild hypertension and impaired
fasting glucose (IFG). Insulin sensitivity is a measurement of biological activity
of insulin and predicts diabetes and heart disease. Digital pulse volume amplitude
ratio is a measure of endothelial function, which predicts atherosclerosis.
Pilot Study on Effective Implementation of a Clinical Metabolic Syndrome Program
at UTSW. [082005-005] The purpose of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness
of Caduet in addition to therapeutical life-style changes (TLC) in resolving
metabolic syndrome. This research is being done because we believe that a multidisciplinary
approach on simultaneous and
comprehensive management of various components of the metabolic syndrome results
in an effective and cost-efficient treatment program that will reduce risk for
cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes in patients with metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic determinants of insulin resistance in different ethnic groups [UT-IRB
#062005-030] The overall goal of the present proposal is to test whether the
susceptibility to insulin resistance is different among different ethnic groups,
and to test the metabolic determinants of this difference in susceptibility.
A pilot study on treatment effect of Tomato Lycopene and Soy Isoflavones on
insulin resistance [UT-IRB #042008-038] The objective of the study is to assess
the effect of 12 weeks treatment with Tomato Lycopene, Soy Isoflavones or a
combination on insulin sensitivity, as measured by changes in peripheral glucose
disposal rate during euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp.
Role of new adipocyte formation and adipose triglyceride dynamics
on ethnic susceptibility to insulin resistance [UT-IRB #102007-036] The overall
goal of this proposal is to explore novel mechanisms of insulin resistance,
which are independent of obesity. This study will test the hypothesis that defective
formation of new adipocytes in combination with adipocyte leptin resistance
in Caucasians and Asian Indians accounts for impaired adipose tissue lipid metabolism
Previous Research Activities or Publications with Housestaff:
House-staff has not participated in research activities at our research laboratories the Center for Human Nutrition in the past. We had one rotation from a Doris Duke fellow, Brijen Shah and the publications are listed below.
1. Chang C, Garcia-Garcia AB, Hamilton E, Shah B, Meguro S, Grundy SM, Provost D, Vega GL. Metabolic syndrome phenotype in very obese women. Metab Syndr Relat Disord. 2007 Spring;5(1):3-12.
2: Vega GL, Adams-Huet B, Peshock R, Willett D, Shah B, Grundy SM. Influence of body fat content and distribution on variation in metabolic risk. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2006 Nov;91(11):4459-66. Epub 2006 Aug 22.