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Heather Kleiner,
Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience
Ph.D., 1996, University of Texas at Austin
Major Research
Interests:
The chemoprevention of chemical-induced cancer using natural products.
Our research program focuses on the use of natural products, particularly those found in the diet, to prevent chemical-induced carcinogenesis. The types of cancer that we are trying to prevent are those epithelial in nature, particularly mammary and skin epidermis. We are testing the abilities of certain natural products, such as naturally occurring coumarins, to block chemical carcinogenesis by environmental contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Naturally occurring coumarins are present in abundant amounts in citrus fruits, celery, parsley, parsnips, and legumes. We are also interested in using these agents and/or antioxidants to suppress the tumor promotion/progression phase of carcinogenesis. In addition to these research interests, we are also investigating the possible pharmacological/toxicological effects of dietary constituents, including naturally occurring coumarins. Our main focus is on the effects that certain compounds may have on drug-metabolizing enzymes in the body, particularly the liver. We have discovered that isopimpinellin appears to interact with nuclear receptors (pregnane X-receptor, constitutive androstane receptor) involved in the induction of cytochrome(s) P450, and that it also induces glutathione S-transferase. Our research will continue to investigate the mechanism(s) for these effects.
Selected recent publications:
Kleiner, H.E. , Vulimiri, S.V., Reed, M.J., Starost, M.F., and DiGiovanni, J. (2002) Oral administration of the citrus coumarin, isopimpinellin, blocks DNA adduct formation and skin tumor initiation by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene in SENCAR mice. Carcinogenesis 10: 1667-1675.
Prince, M., Campbell, C., Robertson, T.,Wells, A.J., and Kleiner, H.E. (2006) Naturally occurring coumarins inhibit 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene DNA adduct formation in mouse mammary gland. Carcinogenesis 27: 1204-1213.
Campbell , C., Prince, M., Landry, G.M., Kha, V., and Kleiner, H.E. (2007)Pro-apoptotic effects of 1’-acetoxychavicol acetate in human breast cancer cells. Toxicology Lett. 173: 151-160.
Kleiner, H.E ., Xia, X., Pontius, E., Sonoda, J., Abey, J., Zhang, J., Moore, D.D., Evans, R.M. and DiGiovanni, J. Effects of Naturally Occurring Coumarins on Hepatic Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in Mice. Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology (in press, 2008).
Contact Info:
Dr. Heather Kleiner
Assistant Professor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
1501 Kings Highway
Shreveport, LA 71130-3932
318-675-8559
hklein@lsuhsc.edu