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In an exciting proof-of-concept study, ACES researchers and Brazilian collaborators created a transgenic cow capable of producing human insulin in her milk. The advancement could herald a new era in insulin production, one day eliminating drug scarcity and high costs for people living with diabetes. After the researchers inserted a segment of human DNA into cow embryo nuclei, a single transgenic calf was born. When the research team later induced lactation, the cow produced human proinsulin — an insulin precursor — and insulin at highly promising rates. The researchers envision a 100-head herd one day providing all the insulin needed for the country. System refinement and FDA approval would be needed before transgenic cows could supply insulin for the world’s diabetics, but the team is confident that day is coming. 

ACES researcher:
Matt Wheeler, Animal Sciences

Funding:
This research was funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development; the University of Northern Parana, Brazil; and the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Multistate Research Fund.

Related news story:

Milk to the rescue for diabetics? Illinois project creates first insulin-producing cow

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The drug finasteride, also known as Propecia or Proscar, treats male pattern baldness and enlarged prostate in millions of men worldwide. But ACES researchers found the drug may also provide a surprising and life-saving benefit: lowering cholesterol and cutting the overall risk of cardiovascular disease. Their study found significant correlations between finasteride use and lower cholesterol levels in men taking part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2009 and 2016. And in mice taking high finasteride doses, the researchers found reductions in total plasma cholesterol, delayed atherosclerosis progression, lower inflammation in the liver, and related benefits. The next step is for physicians to start tracking cholesterol in finasteride patients or conduct a clinical trial to verify the effect.

ACES researcher: 
Jaume Amengual, Food Science and Human Nutrition

Funding: 
This research was supported in part by the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health [via grant no. HL147252], and the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Related news story:

Common hair loss and prostate drug may also cut heart disease risk in men and mice

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Residential segregation is an example of the long history of structural racism in the U.S. Black Americans are more likely to live in low-quality neighborhoods, which contributes to disparities in health outcomes. ACES researchers analyzed data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, a longitudinal study of health and aging that includes assessments of psychological and neighborhood factors. The study focused on Black Americans living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin from 2013-2015, analyzing objective neighborhood quality as well as mental-emotional health. As expected, the researchers found that people who reported greater perceived community stress had higher levels of negative emotions and lower levels of positive emotions. The research underscores the importance of a holistic perspective that considers the intersection of race and gender to better understand and create policies around the complex associations between neighborhood quality and wellbeing.

ACES researcher:
August Jenkins, Human Development and Family Studies

Funding: 
This research used publicly available data from the MIDUS study, which is funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Research Network and National Institute on Aging Grants.

Related news stories:

How community stress affects Black Americans’ mental health and wellbeing

How love, health, and neighborhood intersect for Black Americans

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For people whose kidneys don’t function properly, hemodialysis is a lifesaving process. Patients visit dialysis centers multiple times per week, getting hooked up to machines that filter impurities and excess fluid out of their blood. Between sessions, dietary choices — especially sodium intake — determine the amount of fluid patients accumulate, affecting weight gain and overall quality of life. Even with the best intentions, it’s not always easy to choose low-sodium foods. That’s why researchers in the Division of Nutritional Sciences in ACES have created a virtual reality program to educate dialysis patients on low-sodium shopping and cooking from the comfort of their treatment chairs. The VR program is a pilot to see how well dialysis patients in Champaign County respond to the material. If it’s a success, the program will be re-shot with professional actors and camera operators, with portions translated into Spanish, ahead of a wider launch.

ACES researcher:
Kaitlyn Pawelczyk, Division of Nutritional Sciences

Funding: 
This project was funded through the Kidney Wellness Institute of Illinois in the Discovery Partners Institute, part of the University of Illinois System.

Related news story:

Virtual reality program shares shopping, cooking advice with dialysis patients