6-10-97
Kelli Whitlock
Science Writer and Managing Editor
Phone (614) 593-0383
kwhitlock1@ohiou.edu
Bryan McNulty
Director
Phone (614) 593-1043
bmcnulty1@ohiou.edu
This is a special edition of Ohio University Science News, which highlights Ohio University research being presented at the 79th Annual Meeting of the Endocrine Society June 11-14 in Minneapolis. If you have questions about these or other research projects at Ohio University, please contact us.
GROWTH
HORMONE ANTAGONIST MAY PREVENT
SOME EYE DISEASES, STUDY FINDS
Studies of a growth hormone antagonist invented at Ohio
University suggest the antagonist may prevent a destructive form of
several eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. The study,
reported in the June 13 issue of the journal Science, could lead to a
new class of drugs for millions of Americans with these eye
diseases.
Contact: John Kopchick, Ohio University, 614-593-4534;
jkopchick1@ohiou.edu
RESEARCHERS INVENT MOUSE MODEL FOR USE IN
STUDY OF LARON SYNDROME
Researchers at Ohio University's Edison Biotechnology
Institute have invented a mouse model to study Laron syndrome, a
rare human genetic disease that causes dwarfism. The mouse could
be used to develop a drug that would work in the absence of a
growth hormone receptor, which people with Laron syndrome
lack.
Contact: John Kopchick, Ohio University, 614-593-4534;
jkopchick1@ohiou.edu
LOW
LEVELS OF BODY ENERGY CAUSE PROBLEMS
WITH REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Women who diet but do not exercise may experience some
of the same imbalances in a hormone that controls ovarian function
as women who exercise regularly but do not replace the calories
they burn, according to this new study, the first to link this
imbalance to the amount of energy available for use by the body.
Contact: Anne Loucks, 614-593-2286;
aloucks2@ohiou.edu
GROWTH
HORMONE MAY BE TIED TO PRE-PUBERTAL MAMMARY GLAND DEVELOPMENT
A new study of the relationship between growth hormone
and mammary gland development suggests growth hormone may
control the number of terminal end buds in the mammary gland.
Terminal end buds have been implicated in an increased risk of
breast cancer in related studies.
Contact: John Kopchick, Ohio University, 614-593-4534;
jkopchick1@ohiou.edu