Ohio University Conference Examines Latest Diabetes Research, Clinical Discoveries and Impact on Appalachia
Note: For more information, please contact Gary Snyder, associate director of communication, at (740) 593-2199
ATHENS, Ohio (October 4, 2000) -- For the second year, Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine's (OU-COM) Department of Biomedical Sciences will hold a two-day conference, "Medical Scientific Horizons in Diabetes: Cardiovascular Implications," examining the latest diabetes research and disease management discoveries.
This year's conference, held on Oct. 13 and 14, will feature nationally known diabetes expert, Theodore Kotchen, M.D., professor of medicine and associate dean for clinical research at the Medical College of Wisconsin, and will focus on the cardiovascular connections and complications of diabetes and treatment therapies. Last year's conference was the first of its kind in Southeastern Ohio. The conference combines professional presentations for medical specialists in conjunction with various community education events for diabetes patients and caregivers.
"This year's presentations will demonstrate the synergy of the collaboration between clinical practice and biomedical research at the college and its benefit to health-care professionals and their patients," said Ron Portanova, Ph.D., chairman of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at OU-COM.
Ohio University is in a fitting location for conducting diabetes research, as a recent OU-COM survey of 2,600 Southeastern Ohioans revealed that diabetes rates in Appalachian Ohio are significantly higher than the national rate. The rate produced in the sample was between 12 and 16 percent in Southeastern Ohio versus the national rate of 6 percent, said Al Pheley, director of the OU-COM Center for Appalachian and Rural Health Research, which conducted the survey.
"Our medical school environment is an incubator for collaboration. We have that here and in an environment in which it turns out that diabetes is an especially important problem," said Portanova.
Another conference presenter is a nationally known diabetes expert, John Kopchick, Ph.D., OU-COM professor of molecular biology and Goll Ohio Eminent Professor. Jack Brose, D.O., OU-COM assistant dean of clinical research and professor of family medicine, and Richard Klabunde, Ph.D., OU-COM cardiovascular physiologist and associate professor of biomedical sciences, will also present at the conference.
Kotchen will make two presentations, "The Syndrome of Insulin Resistance and Hypertension" and "Treatment of Hypertension in the Diabetic Patient," on Oct. 13 and 14, respectively. His work focuses on newer approaches for treating hypertension in individuals with diabetes to more effectively combat cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. He will also discuss insulin resistance and its relationship to cardiovascular disease as well as lifestyle factors that potentially impact insulin resistance and sensitivity.
"Exercise increases insulin sensitivity, whereas diets high in refined sugar and fat induce insulin resistance," Kotchen said. "Recognition of the insulin resistance syndrome dictates that preventive and therapeutic strategies should address overall cardiovascular disease risk."
Kopchick's presentation, on Oct. 14, deals with his current research, the use of mouse models that he hopes will help lead to finding causes of and preventive therapies for diabetes. His presentation will focus on the risk obese individuals face in the development of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), or Type 2 diabetes. He will present some "new" data on adipose tissue that may impact obesity and diabetes.
"We are trying to develop mouse models for Type 2 diabetes so we can study the molecular aspect of this disorder. Our aim is to better understand the genetic and environmental causes of Type 2 diabetes. Once we have this information, it may aid in the prevention and treatment of this disorder," Kopchick said.
Brose's presentation, on Oct. 14, will detail recent research showing that patients with diabetes may benefit from different treatments for cardiovascular disease compared to non-diabetic patients. For example, some blood pressure medications have been shown to be more protective than others in diabetic patients.
"Some new classes of cardiovascular medications may have the potential to prevent or reverse some of the effects of diabetes," Brose said.
Klabunde's presentation, on Oct. 14, will discuss the relationship of high blood pressure to diabetes. Persons who develop one are more prone to develop the other. Klabunde will discuss possible mechanisms by which abnormal levels of insulin and glucose may constrict blood vessels and elevate blood pressure.
"By understanding the mechanisms that causeŠdysfunction, it is hoped that new therapeutic interventions that target these mechanisms might be able to slow down or stop the progressive changes that occur in vascular function during diabetes and hypertension," said Klabunde.
In conjunction with the conference OU-COM's Community Service Programs Mobile Health Unit will hold a free health screening on Oct. 12 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the Burr Oak Foodland in the village of Trimble. The health screening will include fasting-glucose screening and blood pressure, height and weight checks. Nutritional information as well as referral information will be provided for those wanting to follow-up.
Also in conjunction with the conference, a public education forum will be held Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. in Room B-7 at O'Bleness Memorial Hospital. Kopchick; Eduardo Robles, D.O., University Osteopathic Medical Center family physician; Barb Nakanishi, O'Bleness dietitian; and Ed Gotfried, D.O., OU-COM professor of surgery and chairman of the Department of Specialty Medicine, who is also diabetic, will make up a panel discussing diabetes and fielding questions from the community audience. Free blood-glucose screenings will be offered preceding the forum at 6:30 p.m. Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina will donate refreshments, including their special homemade salsa, for the event.
For registration information, please call Area Health Education Center at (740) 593-2292. For more information on the conference and related activities, please call (800) 844-2654.
