2003 Pilot Projects

Title: Antioxidant Mechanisms of Selenium and Heme Oxygenase-1
Investigator(s): Ray Burk, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology
Description: This project was undertaken to develop pilot data to support an application to study the antioxidant properties of heme oxygenase isoforms and selenoenzymes. It has succeeded in linking the selenoenzyme thioredoxin reductase with HO-1. Moreover, results have strongly suggested that HO-1 action is associated with transport of iron out of the cell. This might explain some of the antioxidant effects of HO-1.

Title: Molecular Mechanisms of Glucose Toxicity
Investigator(s): Lan Wu, Department of Microbiology & Immunology
Description: Glucose toxicity on pancreatic beta cells and vascular endothelial cells contributes to progressive beta cell failure, development of overt diabetes, and development of diabetes-specific microvascular complications. The molecular mechanisms underlying the toxic effects of high glucose on beta cells are currently not well understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that oxidative stress plays a significant role in glucose toxicity. Preliminary results of this project have indicated that enhanced glucokinase activity and increased glucose metabolism create oxidative stress and mediate glucose toxicity in pancreatic beta cell lines. The aims of the project were 1) to investigate whether stress responses are activated during glucose toxicity, and 2) to determine whether anti-apoptotic factors prevent glucose toxicity.