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Biomedical subjects

Donald M Black

Publications and source records attributed to Donald M Black.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

TES is a novel focal adhesion protein with a role in cell spreading.

Previously, we identified TES as a novel candidate tumour suppressor gene that mapped to human chromosome 7q31.1. In this report we demonstrate that the TES protein is localised at focal adhesions, actin stress fibres and areas of cell-cell contact. TES has three C-terminal LIM domains that appear to be important for focal adhesion targeting. Additionally, the N-terminal region is important for targeting TES to actin stress fibres. Yeast two-hybrid and biochemical analyses yielded interactions with several focal adhesion and/or cytoskeletal proteins including mena, zyxin and talin. The fact that TES localises to regions of cell adhesion suggests that it functions in events related to cell motility and adhesion. In support of this, we demonstrate that fibroblasts stably overexpressing TES have an increased ability to spread on fibronectin.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The development of combination drugs for atherosclerosis.

The complexity of medical care has led to a dramatic increase in the number of drugs taken by patients. In an effort to improve patient compliance and the effectiveness of clinical care, many drugs are being studied for combination in a single capsule or tablet. The recent success of many combination drugs for hypertension has accelerated the interest in combination drugs for lipids and atherosclerosis. Advicor (Kos Pharmaceuticals, Miami, FL), a combination of nicotinic acid and a statin (mevacor), is the first combination lipid drug. Recently, the United States Food and Drug Administration approved the combination of another statin, pravachol, with aspirin. Therefore, combination drugs are likely to be a significant contribution to clinical practice and drug development.

Arteriosclerosis↗
PubMed2002

Lipoprotein changes with statins.

The effects of statins and other lipid drugs are assessed by their ability to affect specific lipid fractions. Although there has been a great deal written abut the statins, most recent papers have focused on the comparative effects of the statins on triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, or have been concerned with the nonlipid effects of these drugs. In addition, some recent papers have focused on new parameters that may mediate cardiovascular risk, such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Cholesterol, HDL↗
PubMed2002

A general assessment of the safety of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors (statins).

Few principles in medicine today are as well accepted as the benefits of using statins to reduce cardiovascular risk factors and to prevent cardiovascular disease. The recent withdrawal of a statin (cerivastatin) has lead to a re-examination of all statins, and an attempt to better assess the risk-benefit ratio of this class of drugs. Although the benefits of statin treatment are well known from a myriad of clinical trials, the safety of these compounds has not been an issue since lovastatin was first introduced in 1987. This report provides a brief review of statin safety, and reiterates the excellent profile of this class of drugs.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗
PubMed2002

Gut-acting drugs for lowering cholesterol.

Drugs that indirectly lower blood cholesterol through their actions in the gut have been used for many years. Their utility has been limited by poor tolerability, and hence, poor compliance. New resins are better tolerated and offer an advantage to older drugs. New strategies focusing on reducing serum cholesterol by acting on the gastrointestinal tract may hold even greater promise, combining the safety of nonsystemic agents with the acceptance of statins.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗