DR. RAYLENE A. REIMER

B.Sc. (Alberta), Ph.D., R.D. (Alberta) - Associate Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology.

Affiliations: Member - Diabetes & Endocrinology Research Group.

Research Interests:

There is widespread recognition that diet plays an important role in the incidence of many diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, some cancers, osteoporosis and inflammatory conditions. The overall objective of my research is to couple the identification of genes involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes and obesity with nutrition-based strategies to prevent and/or treat these conditions. The specific aims of my current research program include:

*Role of Intestinal Adaptation in Obesity.* Using both the genetically obese JCR:La-corpulent rat and diet-induced obese rat models we are examining the role of diets high in protein and fiber on intestinal adaptation, gut hormones involved in satiety, hepatic lipid synthesis and body weight regulation. Other novel nutrients we are examining include calcium and specific proteins and bioactive ingredients found in dairy products which are linked to improved weight loss. We are specifically addressing the mechanisms by which these dietary components promote weight loss and regulate adiposity. Most recently we have translated the findings of our animal work into human clinical studies and demonstrated significant weight loss with a prebiotic fiber supplement taken over 3 months.

*Regulation of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) secretion.* GLP-1 is a potent insulin secretagogue with high potential for the treatment of diabetes. We have established a molecular screening facility in which we are able to determine the role of specific nutrients and dietary compounds in triggering GLP-1 release. Using cell lines we can further explore the intracellular signaling pathways involved in GLP-1 secretion. Molecular biology techniques used by our lab include PCR Arrays and Real Time PCR.

*Role of Diet Composition in Early Dietary Programming.* It is now increasingly clear that dietary influences exerted early in life have long-term consequences, many of which are pathological. The goal of this work is to undertake basic research on how dietary patterns during growth and development affect physiological responses related to lipid and glucose metabolism in later life and program risk for obesity.

The long-term goal of our work is to identify novel nutritional therapies to prevent and treat chronic disease.

Link to Dr. Reimer`s Website

Personnel:

View Pub Med for Recent publications & abstracts

Recent Publications:

• 1. Chen Q, *Reimer RA*. (2009) Dairy protein and leucine alter GLP-1 release and mRNA of genes involved in intestinal lipid metabolism in vitro (Nutrition 25:340-349; Epub ahead of print Nov. 24, 2008)
• 2. Maurer AD, Chen Q, McPherson C, *Reimer RA*. (2009) Changes in satiety hormones and expression of genes involved in glucose and lipid metabolism in rats weaned onto diets high in fiber or protein reflect susceptibility to increased fat mass in adulthood. (J Physiol Lond 587:679-691; Epub Ahead of Print Dec. 8, 2008).
• 3. Parnell JA, *Reimer RA* (2009) Oligofructose Promotes Weight Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial. (Am J Clin Nutr 89:1751-1759; Epub Ahead of Print Apr. 22, 2009).
• 4. Stephenson LE, Bebb DG, *Reimer RA*, Culos-Reed SN. (2009) Physical Activity and Diet Behaviour in Colorectal Cancer Patients ReceivingChemotherapy: Associations with Quality of Life. BMC Gastroenterology 9(1):60-69.
• 5. Lun V, Erdman KA, *Reimer RA*. (2009) Evaluation of Nutritional Intake in Canadian High Performance Athletes (Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine19:405-411)
• 6. Eller LK, *Reimer RA*. (2009) Dairy protein attenuates weight gain in obese rats better than whey or casein alone. (Obesity Epub ahead of print Sept 24)
• 7. Drozdowski LA, *Reimer RA*, Temelli F, Bell RC, Vasanthan T, Thomson ABR. (2009) ?-glucan extracts inhibit the in vitro intestinal uptake of long chain fatty acids and cholesterol, and downregulate genes involved in lipogenesis and lipid transport in rats. (Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry Epub ahead of print Aug 27)
• 8. Lorincz C, *Reimer RA*, Zernicke RF. (2009) High Fat and Sucrose Diet Effects on Bone Mechanical and Molecular Properties. (In Press Br J Nutr)
• 9. Parnell JA, *Reimer RA *(2009) Effect of prebiotic fiber supplementation on hepatic gene expression and serum lipids: a dose-response study in JCR: LA-cp rats (Accepted Br J Nutr)

Contact Information:

The University of Calgary,
Room 440 KNB,
2500 University Drive NW, Calgary,
Alberta Canada T2N 1N4
Phone (403) 220-8218
Fax: (403) 284-3553,
E-mail: reimer [at] ucalgary [dot] ca.