Department of Medicine
All-in-one pill helps reduce blood pressure, cholesterol
Sep. 19, 2019—A single pill containing low doses of three medications to treat high blood pressure and one to lower cholesterol reduced the estimated risk of cardiovascular disease by 25%, according to a VUMC study.
How salt increases blood pressure
Sep. 5, 2019—Vanderbilt researchers have discovered that a protein called SGK1 in immune cells is activated by sodium, leading to the development of salt-sensitive hypertension.
Cancer susceptibility genes
Aug. 26, 2019—Gene variants associated with cancer risk appear to contribute to carcinogenesis by regulating target genes that in turn promote the generation of mutations.
Host-microbe interactions in the gut
Aug. 13, 2019—Vanderbilt investigators demonstrated that intestinal cells promote beneficial microbe behavior — the findings support developing microbiota-based therapies for intestinal health.
New window on fibrosis
Aug. 8, 2019—A previously unrecognized role for a cell surface receptor may open new therapeutic options for the treatment of fibrotic diseases.
Grant bolsters research on myelodysplastic syndromes
Aug. 1, 2019—Michael Savona, MD, has received a competitive grant to develop therapies for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes.
Study ‘ignites’ link between genes and drug response
Jul. 25, 2019—A national study is seeking to determine whether genetic testing can help physicians choose the best drugs for their patients to relieve pain and depression.
Sex differences in kidney injury
Jul. 25, 2019—Men are more susceptible to progressive kidney disease than women; new VUMC studies point to differences in the expression and activation of the EGF receptor.
Encephalitis identified as rare toxicity of immunotherapy treatment
Jul. 22, 2019—Researchers are chronicling rare but serious toxicities that may occur with immune checkpoint inhibitors, the most widely prescribed class of immunotherapies.
Madhur receives Presidential Early Career Award
Jul. 18, 2019—Meena Madhur, MD, PhD, has received a Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers.
New look at atherosclerosis
Jul. 11, 2019—A new imaging method makes it possible to directly measure cell division and changes in metabolism in atherosclerotic plaques.
Biomarkers of DNA methylation can be a predictor of breast cancer risk
Jun. 26, 2019—Biomarkers of DNA methylation, which regulate gene expression, can be a predictor of breast cancer risk.