Translational nutrition research at UC Davis--the key role of the Clinical and Translational Science Center.

The National Institutes of Health's Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) program has had a profound impact on clinical research and training methods at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis). UC Davis was among the first 12 institutions to receive NIH funding for this award, and created its Clinical and Translational Science Center (CTSC) in 2006. The funding accelerated and further integrated an existing conscientious and careful planning effort for translational research with a stepwise approach to gradually increase our institutional competencies, capabilities, and resources in this area.

Effects of protein versus simple sugar intake on weight loss in polycystic ovary syndrome (according to the National Institutes of Health criteria).

Objective: To compare the effects of protein vs. simple sugars on weight loss, body composition, and metabolic and endocrine parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Design: A 2-month, free-living, randomized, single-blinded study.

Relation of nutrients and hormones in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Insulin resistance, infertility, and hirsutism, common characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), improve with even modest weight loss. Optimal dietary treatment for PCOS is not known.

Objective: We compared the effects of acute protein administration with those of glucose challenges on hormones related to obesity and insulin resistance (ie, cortisol and insulin), hirsutism [ie, dehydroepiandosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione], and hunger (ie, ghrelin).

The effect of weight loss and dietary fatty acids on inflammation.

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in all stages of atherosclerosis. Weight loss appears to be the best nonpharmacologic modality to reduce inflammation. Intervention trials convincingly demonstrate that weight loss reduces biomarkers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein.

Circulating bioactive androgens in midlife women.

Context: It is important to characterize the biological activity of circulating androgenic steroid hormones during the menopausal transition because these appear to impact the metabolic and cardiovascular health risk factors of women.

Objective: The objective of the study was to develop and characterize a cell-based bioassay that measures the androgen receptor-mediated signal transduction in serum.

Design: This was a clinically relevant experimental study nested in a sample population of a longitudinal cohort study.