Professor, Department of Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise
Program Focus
Molecular and Cellular Science
Molecular mechanisms of phytochemicals in regulation of vascular function, steroid biology, and vascular angiogenesis
Identification of bioactive compounds to prevent diabetes and understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms
Selected Publications
Phytoestrogen genistein protects against endothelial barrier dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells through PKA-mediated suppression of RhoA signaling. Jia Z, Zhen W, Velayutham Anandh Babu P, Liu D.Endocrinology. 2013 Feb;154(2):727-37.
Phytoestrogen genistein protects against endothelial barrier dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells through PKA-mediated suppression of RhoA signaling. Jia Z, Zhen W, Velayutham Anandh Babu P, Liu D.Endocrinology. 2013 Feb;154(2):727-37.
Genistein induces pancreatic beta-cell proliferation through activation of multiple signaling pathways and prevents insulin-deficient diabetes in mice. Fu Z, Zhang W, Zhen W, Lum H, Nadler J, Bassaganya-Riera J, Jia Z, Wang Y, Misra H, Liu D. Endocrinology. 2010 Jul;151(7):3026-37.
Dehydroepiandrosterone protects vascular endothelial cells against apoptosis through a Galphai protein-dependent activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt and regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 expression. Liu D, Si H, Reynolds KA, Zhen W, Jia Z, Dillon JS. Endocrinology. 2007 Jul;148(7):3068-76.
Genistein prevents hyperglycemia-induced monocyte adhesion to human aortic endothelial cells through preservation of the cAMP signaling pathway and ameliorates vascular inflammation in obese diabetic mice. Babu PV, Si H, Fu Z, Zhen W, Liu D. J Nutr. 2012 Apr;142(4):724-30.
Genistein acutely stimulates insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells through a cAMP-dependent protein kinase pathway. Liu D, Zhen W, Yang Z, Carter JD, Si H, Reynolds KA. Diabetes. 2006 Apr;55(4):1043-50.p
Genistein inhibits TNF-α-induced endothelial inflammation through the protein kinase pathway A and improves vascular inflammation in C57BL/6 mice. Jia Z, Babu PV, Si H, Nallasamy P, Zhu H, Zhen W, Misra HP, Li Y, Liu D. Int J Cardiol. 2013 Oct 3;168(3):2637-45.
Small molecule kaempferol modulates PDX-1 protein expression and subsequently promotes pancreatic β-cell survival and function via CREB. Zhang Y, Zhen W, Maechler P, Liu D. J Nutr Biochem. 2013 Apr;24(4):638-46.