Sean Davies Archive — Page 1 of 1

Medical illustration of a blood vessel narrowing from fatty plaque buildup, with red blood cells in the bloodstream and enlarged spherical particles in the foreground.
August 19, 2021

Potential protection from atherosclerosis

Vanderbilt researchers have discovered a potential way to reduce atherosclerosis: blocking the modification of an HDL-associated enzyme by reactive molecules called isolevuglandins.

By Bill Snyder
Cholesterol
January 21, 2021

NIH grant bolsters research on heart disease, cholesterol

Thanks to major funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have made major inroads in understanding how high-density lipoprotein (HDL), commonly known as good cholesterol, in some cases may actually contribute to the development of atherosclerosis.

By Bill Snyder
From left, Huan Tao, MD, PhD, Sean Davies, PhD, Jiansheng Huang, PhD, and MacRae Linton, MD, led the study that identified a potential new treatment for atherosclerosis.
August 20, 2020

‘Scavenger’ molecule may point to new atherosclerosis treatment

A small-molecule “scavenger” that reduces inflammation and formation of atherosclerotic plaque in blood vessels in mice potentially could lead to a new approach for treating atherosclerosis in humans, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

By Bill Snyder
Stylized close-up of dark molecular ball-and-stick structures against a bright blue-white background.
July 14, 2020

New tools to study bioactive lipids

Vanderbilt researchers have identified and characterized inhibitors of an enzyme that synthesizes lipid signaling molecules with roles in energy balance, inflammation and addiction.

By Leigh MacMillan
Illustration of an artery narrowed by yellow cholesterol plaque deposits, with red blood cells flowing through the remaining open channel.
January 27, 2020

A new contributor to atherosclerosis

Sean Davies and colleagues are exploring lipid aldehydes produced during oxidative stress and their contribution to HDL dysfunction and atherosclerosis.

By Leigh MacMillan
yogurt
August 8, 2019

A probiotic treatment for obesity?

Engineered bacteria that produce beneficial compounds — and that could potentially be administered in foods like yogurt — may be a future treatment for obesity and other chronic diseases.

By Leigh MacMillan