Chad Stroud investigates the physiological roles of fatty acids using a novel line of mice lacking a key gene in fatty acid synthesis. (2006)

       Research in the Nakamura laboratory investigates the biochemical and molecular mechanisms regulating macronutrient metabolism. A particular focus is the metabolism and the physiological function of unsaturated, long chain fatty acids, including arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is known that AA, an omega 6 fatty acid, is a precursor to prostaglandins, which mediate a variety of functions within the body, including blood pressure regulation, immune response and tissue inflammation. The omega 3 fatty acids, EPA and DHA, are important for eye, brain and cardiovascular function and health. However, defining the specific roles and absolute dietary requirements for each fatty acid has been hampered by the fact that these fatty acids can be made in the body from essential fatty acids. Therefore, it has been impossible to study a deficiency of AA, EPA or DHA without inducing an overall essential fatty acid deficiency.

An international research team is pursuing the role of inflammation and immunotherapy in depression. Research of Drs. Keith W. Kelley and Robert Dantzer (2006)

       Drs. Keith Kelley and Robert Dantzer are part of a new interdepartmental research group known as the Integrative Immunology and Behavior (IIB) program in the Colleges of ACES, Medicine and Applied Health Sciences. Their aim is to understand how brain-body communication systems affect animal and human health.

       Patients with cancer, AIDS and hepatitis C may receive immunotherapy, a treatment that involves injection of cytokines. Cytokines are chemicals normally made by immune cells that boost the immune system to fight infectious pathogens and kill

alter brain metabolism and deplete the neurotransmitter serotonin. These metabolic changes often are associated with symptoms of depression and, as a result, clinical depression is now recognized as a side effect of immunotherapy.

       Dantzer and Kelley are studying how cytokines are acting in the brain and are investigating potential treatments to ease cytokine-induced depression. Two nutritional approaches they are investigating are the manipulation of amino acid metabolism and the use of dietary antioxidants. Jason O'Connor, a postdoctoral fellow supported by the Division's NIH Training Grant, is investigating the role of an enzyme responsible for diverting the body's metabolism of tryptophan, an essential amino acid, away from the synthesis of serotonin. In the presence of certain cytokines, the activity of this enzyme is increased, which may be a cause of depression associated with immunotherapy.

       Scientists have always known that behavioral changes accompany sickness. This work explores why sickness causes those changes. Understanding this relationship will lead to the ability to devise better therapies that will not only benefit patients on immunotherapy, but millions of people worldwide who suffer from clinical depression.

BART DEPLANCKE values the interdisciplinary nature of his doctoral research at U of I. (2002)

        Although all the factors that lead to inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer are not well understood, these diseases appear to originate from an interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental insults. Intestinal hydrogen sulfide, generated by intestinal sulfate-reducing bacteria, may represent one such environmental insult.

        In my research, I examined how physiological hydrogen sulfide concentrations within the colon affected intestinal cell function. The availability of state-of-the-art research facilities within the Biotechnology Center allowed me to monitor global

treated cells using DNA microarrays. We found that hydrogen sulfide triggered uncontrolled growth of intestinal cells and may predispose an individual to inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer.

        My doctoral research required the integration of knowledge and research tools from a number of scientific fields, including cell biology, microbiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. The continuous support of my advisor, Dr. Rex Gaskins, and my ability to work in an interdisciplinary team of investigators have made my experience in the Division very enriching and productive. My familiarity with several scientific disciplines will be of great benefit in my scientific career as an independent researcher, which I will begun as a postdoctoral fellow in functional genomics at the Dana Farber Cancer Center at Harvard Medical School.”

CASSANDRA DELGADO-REYES follows her interests and designs her own research project. (2002)

       “Coming from a biology and chemistry background, I had no idea what nutrition entailed beyond dietetics. After interviewing at several schools, I realized that physiology and biochemistry play a large part in the contemporary discoveries in nutrition. At the U of I, I have interacted with researchers in all areas of nutrition - from cancer research to functional foods. I've also had the opportunity to attend national meetings and to participate in professional and student organizations.

       Our lab studies the enzyme betaine homo- cysteine S-methyltransferase (BMHT), which is one of only three enzymes that metabolize homocysteine. Elevated levels of plasma homocysteine increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.