Mentor: Gloria Lena Vega, Ph.D.
Professor - Center for Human Nutrition
Department: Center for Human Nutrition
Room number: Y3.206
Mail Code: 9052
Phone number: 214-648-2869
E-mails: Gloria.Vega@utsouthwestern.edu
Project Type: patient-based research
Project Titles / Brief Description of Projects:
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?
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. Vega collaborates with Dr. Grundy on body fat composition and metabolic
CV risk factors.
Is there a relationship between possible longevity factors and Alzheimer's disease?
[UT-IRB # 012006-0012] The aims of this pilot study are to determine if Alzheimer's
disease (AD) subjects and subjects at risk for AD have a lower prevalence of
a "longevity" phenotype than control subjects and to determine if
there is a relation between body composition and prevalence of the "longevity"
lipoprotein phenotype. The long-term goal of this study is to identify lipid
factors that increase predisposition to AD.
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.