Symposium

Complementary Integrative Rehabilitation Medicine

Cross-Cutting

A Symposium of Research by K Fellows (823134)

Presenter(s)

• 

  Claudia R. Morris, MD

  Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine; Research Director, Div of Ped Emergency Medicine
  Emory University School of Medicine
  Atlanta, Georgia

  Presentation Slides
• 

  Claire A. Spears, PhD

  Associate Professor
  Department of Health Policy & Behavioral Sciences Georgia State University
  Atlanta, Georgia

  Presentation Slides Presentation + Audio
• 

  Natoshia Raishevich Cunningham, PhD

  Assistant Professor
  Michigan State University
  Grand Rapids, Michigan

  Presentation Slides Presentation + Audio

Non-presenting author(s)

• 

  Sonya Kim, PhD

  Assistant Professor and Research Scientist
  NYU School of Medicine
  New York City, New York
• 

  Patricia C. Heyn, PhD, FGSA, FACRM

  Associate Professor
  University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
  Arvada, Colorado

Low arginine bioavailability plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of a growing number of diseases, including sickle cell disease (SCD), asthma, trauma, malaria and cardiovascular disease. Catabolism of arginine by arginase enzymes is the most common cause of an acquired arginine deficiency syndrome, frequently contributing to endothelial dysfunction through low nitric oxide production. Whether hepatic, immune activation or from hemolyzed red blood cells (RBC) during hemolysis or transfusion, the clinical consequences of excess extracellular arginase will be similar regardless of the cellular origin. Growing evidence supports potential use of arginine therapy to reverse consequences of an arginine deficiency syndrome. Sickle cell disease will be highlighted as a model for arginine deficiency, responsive to arginine. In addition, I will highlight research performed by my mentees that has identified new disorders impacted by arginine dysregulation, including chronic kidney disease, and congenital heart disease. As a K24 recipient, I have the opportunity to further promote the foundations of integrative medicine research within the next generation trainees and junior clinician-scientists, with a focus on patient-oriented research in arginine deficiency syndromes.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the different Career Development Mechanisms
• Describe the mentor-mentee relationship and its role in applying for a K-award and implementing the proposed research
• Discuss evidence-based information on complementary integrative medicine
• Identify the role of arginine dysregulation in health and disease and describe evidence-based benefits of arginine therapy in sickle cell disease