Maria Luz Fernandez, Ph.D

Professor

Ph.D. University of Arizona, 1988
Email: maria-luz.fernandez@uconn.edu

Education and Background

• B.S . Quimico Biologo University of Sonora (1970-1974) Hermosillo, Sonora Mexico.
• M.S. Food Science Instituto Politecnico Nacional (1975-1980) Mexico, D.F.
• Ph.D. Nutritional Sciences University of Arizona (1984-1988) Tucson, Arizona.

Professional Positions

• University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• University of Arizona, Tucson Arizona, Department of Nutritional Sciences
• University of Sonora, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, Department of Food Science

Professional Affiliations

• Joint Appointment(2000): Centro de Investigacion en Alimentos y Desarrollo (CIAD), Hermosillo, Mexico.
• Fellow, Council on Arteriosclerosis of the American Heart Association (elected 1992)
• Member, American Institute of Nutrition (elected 1992)
• Professional Member, Institute of Food Technologists (elected 1989)

Selected Awards and Honors

• 2001-Present - Associate Editor, The Journal of Nutrition
• Spring 2006 - Provost Research Award
• Fall 2005 - UCANRAA Teaching Award
• 2002 - Gamma Sigma Delta, Junior Faculty Award
• 2001 - Excellence in Research Award, College of Agriculture
• 1999-2001 - Editorial Board Member, The Journal of Nutrition

Teaching

• NUSC 165, The Basic Nutrition Course for non-majors
• NUSC 233/235 Class/Lab Food Composition and Methods of Preparation, a required course for Dietetics students.
• NUSC 315 Lipoproteins in Health and Disease, Spring semester every other year.

Graduated M.S. Students

• Lin He (1/95-12/96)
  “Interactive effects of dietary carbohydrate type and fat saturation on hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in guinea pigs.
  Oral exam Nov. 5, 1996
  
• Taif Al-Sarraj (8/95-8/97)
  “Effects of exercise and hormone replacement therapy on reverse cholesterol transport in post-menopausal women”
  Oral exam July 21, 1997.
  
• Hong Shen (8/95 - 12/97)
  “Gender Differences in the responses to pectin, guar gum and psyllium on VLDL and LDL Metabolism”
  Oral exam November 19, 1997.
  
• Ed Cos (1/99-8/00)
  “Dietary soluble fiber and soybean protein reduce atherosclerotic lesions in guinea pigs. Gender and hormonal status determine lesion extension”
  Oral Exam August 29, 2000.
  
• Jason Rosen (8/98-1/01).
  "The effects of a comprehensive weight reduction intervention in obese post-menopausal women on plasma lipids and leptin metabolism”
  Oral Exam January, 23. 2001.
  
• Madhu Patalay (8/02-12/04)
  "The lowering of plasma lipids following a weight reduction program is related to increased expression of the LDL receptor and lipoprotein lipase"
  Oral Exam November 12, 2004.
  
• Lisa Zola (1/05-7/06)
  "Project TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes)"
  Oral Exam, July 19, 2006.

Graduated Ph.D. Students

• Karin Conde (1/95 - 5/98)
  “HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors: atorvastatin and simvastatin. Hypocholesterolemic mechanisms of action in the guinea pig”.
  Oral Exam  March 27, 1998.
  Current Position: Senior Scientist, Hoffman-La Roche, Nutley, NJ
  
• Marcela Vergara-Jimenez (8/94 - 5/98)
  “Mechanisms by which pectin and psyllium reverse the hyperlipidemia induced by high fat and high sucrose diets in guinea pigs”
  Oral Exam  April 15, 1998.
  Current Position. Assistant Professor, University of Sinaloa in Mexico.
  
• Suheeta Roy (1/98-5/01): 
  “Gender and hormonal status modulate the hypolipidemic mechanisms of dietary soluble fiber in the guinea pig”.
  Oral Exam April 23, 2001.
  Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow,
  
• Tripurasundari Ramjiganesh (8/98-9/01)
  “Regulation of hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism by corn fiber oil and sitostanol in guinea pigs”
  Oral Exam, September 14, 2001.
  Current Position: Post-doctoral Fellow, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
  
• Sonia Vega-Lopez (8/98-5/02)
  “Gender and hormonal status modulate the effects of psyllium on the mechanisms determining plasma lipids and lipoprotein metabolism”
  Oral Exam, April 30, 2002.
  Current Position. Post-doctoral position in Tufts University, Boston, MA
  
• Kristy West (8/00-5/04)
  "The mechanisms by which SC-435, an ileal, apical sodium co-dependent bile acid transporter inhibitor (ASBT) alters LDL cholesterol concentrations and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs"
  Oral Exam, March 26, 2004.
  Current Position: Medical Writer, Custom Learning Designs, Inc, Belmont, MA
  
• Kristin Herron (8/00-5/04)
  “The individual response to a diet high in cholesterol provided by eggs. Does response affect coronary heart disease risk?”
  Oral Exam April 9, 2004
  Current Position: Senior Scientist, Nutrition Research, Kraft Foods
  
• Ingrid Lofgren (8/01-8/04)
  "Effects of a weight loss program including calorie restriction, exercise and a dietary supplement on lipoprotein metabolism"
  Oral Exam, July 28, 2004
  Current Position: Faculty Member, Dept of Nutrition and Animal Science, University of New Hampshire, Durham NH
  
• Tosca Zern (8/01-5/05)
  “Cardioprotective effects of grape polyphenols in the postmenopausal state”
  Oral Exam March 22, 2005
  Current position: Research Associate, Yale University
  
• Martha Nydia Ballesteros (8/01-12/05) (from joint appointment with CIAD, Hermosillo, Mexico).
  “Evaluation of the metabolic response to dietary cholesterol in school-aged children”.
  Oral Exam November 30, 2005
  Current position: Senior Scientist: Centro de Investigación en Desarrollo y Alimentos.
  
• Dimple Aggarwal (6/03-5/06)
  “Guinea pigs as models for experimental drugs affecting triglyceride metabolism”
  Oral exam February 27, 2006
  Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Schering, Plough, NJ
  
• Richard Wood  (8/03-5/06)
  “Effects of a low carbohydrate diet with and without soluble fiber supplement on coronary heart disease risk and lipoprotein metabolism”
  Oral Exam March 17, 2006
  Current Position: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Medical School, Pittsburgh, PA
  
• Christine Greene (8/03-5/06)
  “Response to dietary cholesterol and carotenoids provided by eggs in an elderly population”
  Oral Exam April 28, 2006
  Current Position: Lecturer, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Connecticut
• Sudeep Shrestha (1/04-5/07)
  “The effects of a combination therapy with psyllium and plant sterols on clinical markers of cardiovascular disease and lipoprotein metabolism.”
  Oral Exam January 8, 2007
  Current position: Post-doctoral fellow, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, MA
  
• Moises Torres-Gonzalez (8/04-6/07)
  “Carbohydrate restriction and dietary cholesterol distinctly affect hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in guinea pigs.”
  Oral Exam June 14, 2007
  Current position: Post-doctoral Fellow, Linus Pauling Institute, Corvallis, OR
  
• Gisella Mutungi (4/06-12/07)
  “Potential of eggs in enhancing the cardioprotective effects of carbohydrate restricted diets in weight loss interventions.”
  Oral Exam December 6, 2007
  Current position: Post-doctoral fellow Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX

Current Students

M.S.

• Shymaa Atta (6/07)
  “The role of adiponectin on insulin sensitivity and weight loss in premenopausal women.”
• Ryan DeOgburn (8/07)
  “Hepatic cholesterol metabolism as affected by carbohydrate restriction in guinea pigs.”

Ph.D.

• Michael Puglisi (8/05)
  “Raisin effects on biomarkers of coronary heart disease in men and women aged 50-70 years.”
• Ushma Vaishnav (8/05)
  “Lutein’s dual role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration and coronary heart disease risk.”
• Taif Al-Sarraj (1/06)
  “Dietary Interventions for the metabolic syndrome in adults from the United Arab Emirates.”
• Jose Oyama Leite (8/06)
  “Dissertation title: Evaluation of diet-induced atherosclerosis in the guinea pig.”
• Joseph Ratliff (8/06)
  “Modulation of inflammatory cytokines and appetite hormones by egg intake.”
• Mariana Calle (1/07)
  “Peer counseling as an evaluation tool to control biomarkers for type 2 diabetes in Hispanic Adults.”
• Jennifer Rogers (8/07)
  “Peer counseling effects on lipoprotein metabolism and risk for heart disease in Type 2 diabetes in Hispanic adults.”

Visiting Scientists from the University of Sonora

• Ana Lourdes Romero (July - December 1994,July 1995, September 2001)
• Reyna Luz Vidal, Ph.D. (March-July 1996)

Post-Doctoral Fellows

• Ghada Abdel Fattah, Ph.D.  (September - December 1995).
• Reyna Luz Vidal-Quintanar, Ph.D. (July-December 1999)

Visiting Professor

• Jung Sook Kang (December 2004-2005)
  Department of Food and Nutrition, -Cheju National University, Korea

Research

My research focuses on studying the mechanisms by which lifestyle factors and gender/hormonal status affect cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism and their relationship to heart disease. Clinical studies conducted in my laboratory include: children, men, pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women to determine how gender and hormonal status influence the cholesterolemic response to dietary factors and lifestyle changes. Lifestyle factors include dietary factors (dietary soluble fiber, dietary cholesterol, low fat diets, fatty acids varying in the degree of saturation and chain length, complex and simple carbohydrates), obesity and exercise. I use the guinea pig as my animal model to study specific effects of dietary factors, drugs and gender on hepatic enzymes, secretion and turnover of lipoproteins and lipoprotein changes in the intravascular compartment plus atherosclerosis and inflammatory cytokines. Molecular approaches are also used by measuring mRNA abundance of target genes involved in hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and in synthesis and catabolism of lipoproteins.

Grants and Funding History

Recent Presentations

• November 1, 2007 - Nutrition Society of Korea, Seoul, Korea
• May 17, 2007 - Diet and Optimal Health, Portland, OR
• March 6, 2007 - Metabolex Inc., San Mateo,
• February 16,2007 - Egg Institute, Armenia, Colombia.
• December 13, 2006 - Broad Institute: Guinea pig genome Project meeting, Cambridge, MA
• November 16, 2006 - Instituto de la Nutrición, Mexico City, Mexico
• September 26-29, 2006 - 4 Radio Interviews, 3 TV Interviews and 1 conference to 550 Health professionals in Buenos Aires, Argentina
• March 6, 2006 - Wayne University, Detroit, MI
• January 22, 2006 - Nutrition and Metabolism Society, Brooklyn NY
• November 1, 2005 - Wyeth Pharmaceuticals, Harvard, MA
• October 6, 2005 - Instituto del Huevo Latinomericano, Panama City, Panama
• October 5 2005 - University of Panama, Panama City, Panama
• October 13, 2004 - Universidad de Sinaloa, México
• August 18, 2004 - Laboratorio Estatal de Salud Pública, Hermosillo, Mexico
• April 1 & 2, 2004 - El Instituto del Huevo, Mexico City, Mexico
• November 10, 2003 - SLAN, Acapulco Mexico
• August 9, 2003 - Hoffman-LaRoche Nutley, NJ
• May 1, 2003 - Congreso de ANECA, Veracruz, Mexico
• March 17, 2003 - Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo, Hermosillo, Mexico

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

• Torres-Gonzalez M, Leite JO, Volek JS, Contois JH, Fernandez ML. Carbohydrate restriction and dietary cholesterol distinctly affect plasma lipids and lipoprotein subfractions in adult guinea pigs. J. Nutr. Biochem. 2007;(in press).
• Mutungi G, Ratliff J, Puglisi M, Torres-Gonzalez M, Vaishnav U, Leite JO, Quann E, Volek JS, Fernandez ML. Dietary cholesterol from eggs increases HDL cholesterol in overweight men consuming a carbohydrate restricted diet. J. Nutr. 2007;138:272-276.
• Mutungi G, Torres-Gonzalez M, McGrane MM, Volek JS, Fernandez ML. Carbohydrate restriction and dietary cholesterol modulate the expression of HMG-CoA reductase and the LDL receptor in mononuclear cells from adult men. Lipids Health Dis 2007 (in press).
• Visloky LM, Pikosky MA, Herron KL, Vega-Lopez S, Gaine PC,  Martin WW, Zern TL, Fernandez ML, Rodriguez NR. Habitual Consumption of Eggs Does Not Alter the Beneficial Effects of Endurance Training on Plasma Lipids and Lipoprotein Metabolism in Untrained Men and Women. J. Nutr. Biochem 2007; (in press).
• Pasiakos Stephan M, Metel JB, West KL, Lofgren IE, Fernandez ML, Koo SI, Rodriguez NR. Effects of a weight loss intervention on resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in premenopausal women. Metabolism 2007;(in press)
• Sharman MJ, Fernandez ML, Zern TL, Allen SS, McMurray DN & Volek JS. Increased aortic inflammation in the guinea pig with dietary-induced atherosclerosis. J, Nutr. Biochem 2007;(in press).
• Forsythe C, Phinney S, Fernandez ML, Quann EE, Wood RJ, Bibus DM, Kraemer WJ,  Feinman RD, Volek JS. Comparison of low fat and low carbohydrate diets on circulating fatty acid composition and markers of inflammation. Lipids 2007;(in press).
• Torres-Gonzalez M, Shrestha S, Freake HC, Volek JS, Fernandez ML. Carbohydrate restriction alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. J. Nutr. 2007;137:2219-2223.
• Leite JO & Fernandez ML. 2007. Commentary Atherosclerotic lesion formation in rabbits fed on egg yolk-supplemented diet: an inexpensive experimental model. J. Vasc. Bras. 2007; 6:197-198.
• Kang HW, Bimidi GR, Odon DP,  Brun PJ, Fernandez ML & McGrane MM. Altered lipid catabolism in the Vitamin a deficient liver. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2007; 271:18-27.
• Fernandez ML & Webb D. The LDL to HDL cholesterol ratio as a valuable tool to evaluate coronary heart disease risk. The impact of dietary cholesterol. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 2007; (in press).
• Shrestha S, Freake HC, McGrane MM, Volek JS & Fernandez ML A combination of psyllium and plant sterols alters lipoprotein metabolism in hypercholesterolemic subjects by decreasing CETP activity and up-regulating LDL receptor in mononuclear cells. J. Nutr. 2007;137:1165-1170.
• Fernandez ML Acculturation and biomarkers for type 2 diabetes in Latinos. J. Nutr. 2007; 137:871-872.
• Waters D, Clark RM, Greene CM, Contois JH, Fernandez ML. Change in plasma lutein after egg consumption is positively associated with cholesterol and lipoprotein size but diminished with obesity in postmenopausal women. J. Nutr. 2007;137:973-978.
• Fernandez ML. The Metabolic Syndrome. Nutr. Rev. 2007; 64:S30-S34.
• Fernandez ML. Diet and Lipid Metabolism. Nutrition and the M.D. 2007;33:1-3.
• Greene CM & Fernandez ML. The role of nutrition in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women of the developed world. Asian Pacific J. Clin. Nutr.2007;16:1-9.
• Wood RJ, Fernandez ML, Sharman MJ, Silvestre R, Greene CM, Zern TL, Shrestha S, Judelson DA, Gomez AL, Kramer W & Volek JS. Effects of a carbohydrate restricted diet with and without supplemental soluble fiber on plasma LDL-cholesterol and other clinical markers of cardiovascular risk Metabolism 2007;56:58-67.
• Aggarwal D, Soliman G, Freake HC, Dutta A, Fernandez ML. Validation of Using Gene Expression In Mononuclear Cells As A Marker For Hepatic Cholesterol Metabolism. Lipids Health Dis. 2006;5:22
• Fernandez ML & Wood R. 2006. Guinea pigs as models for human cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. Source book for models for Biomedical Research (in press).
• Wood R, Fernandez ML, Sharman MJ, Silvestre R, Greene CM, Zern TL, Shrestha S, Judelson DA, Gomez AL, Kramer W & Volek JS. 2006. Effects of a carbohydrate restricted diet with and without supplemental soluble fiber on plasma LDL-cholesterol and other clinical markers of cardiovascular risk Metabolism (in press).
• Shrestha S, Volek JS, Udani J, Wood R, Greene C, Aggarwal D, Contois JH, Kavoussi B& Fernandez ML. 2006. A combination therapy including psyllium and plant sterol lowers LDL  cholesterol by modifying lipoprotein metabolism in hypercholesterolemic individuals. J. Nutr. (in press).
• Greene CM & Fernandez ML. 2006. The role of nutrition in the prevention of cardiovascular disease in women. APJCN (in press).
• Wood RJ, Volek, Davis SR, Dell’Ova C, Fernandez ML. 2006. Carbohydrate restriction favorably affects plasma markers for cardiovascular disease. Nutr & Met 3:19.
• Ruaño G, Windemuth A, Kocherla M, Holford T, Fernandez ML, Forsythe CE, Wood RJ, Kraemer WJ, Volek JS 2006. Physiogenomic analysis of weight loss induced by dietary carbohydrate restriction. Nutr & Met 3:20
• Fernandez ML, Volek JS. 2006. Guinea pigs: A Suitable Animal Model to study Lipoprotein Metabolism, Atherosclerosis and Inflammation. Nutr. Metab. 3:17
• Herron KL, McGrane MM, Lofgren IE, Waters D, Clark RM, Ordovas JM & Fernandez ML. 2006. ABCG5 polymorphism contributes to the individual response to dietary cholesterol and to carotenoids present in eggs. J. Nutr.  136: 1161-1165.
• Aggarwal D, Fernandez ML & Soliman GA. 2006. Rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor disrupts triglyceride metabolism in guinea pigs. Met. Clin. Exp. 55:794-802
• Fernandez ML, Wood R & Volek JS. 2006. Carbohydrate restricted diets alter the size, distribution and concentration of lipoprotein subclases in men following a weight reduction program. http//www.athero.org/commentaries/
• Torres-Gonzalez M, Volek JS, Sharman M, Contois JH & Fernandez ML. 2006. Dietary carbohydrate and cholesterol influence the number of particles and distributions of lipoprotein subfractions in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. Biochem. (published ahead of print).
• Greene CM, Waters D, Clark RM, Contois JH & Fernandez ML. 2006 Plasma LDL and HDL characteristics and carotenoid content are positively influenced by egg consumption in an elderly population. Nutr. Met 3:6
• Clark RM, Herron KL, Waters D & Fernandez ML. 2006. Hypo- and hyper-response to egg cholesterol predicts lutein and beta-carotene plasma concentrations in men and women. J. Nutr. 136:601-607.
• Wood RJ, Volek JS, Liu Y, Shachter NS, Contois JH & Fernandez ML. 2005. Carbohydrate restriction alters lipoprotein metabolism by modifying VLDL, LDL and HDL subfraction distribution and size in  overweight men. J. Nutr. 136:384-389.
• Herron KL, Lofgren IE, Adiconis X, Ordovas JM & Fernandez ML. 2006. Associations between plasma lipid parameters and APOC3 and APOA4 genotypes in a healthy population are independent of dietary cholesterol intake. Atherosclerosis:  Atherosclerosis 184:113-120.
• Aggarwal D, West KL, Zern TL, Shresthra S, Vergara-Jimenez M & Fernandez ML. 2005. JTT-130, a microsomal transfer protein inhibitor lowers plasma triglycerides and LDL cholesterol concentrations without increasing hepatic triglycerides in the guinea pig. BMC Card. Dis. 5:30
• Lofgren IE, Herron KL, West KL, Zern TL, Brownhill R, Ilich-Ernst J , Koo SI & Fernandez ML. 2005. A weight loss program favorably modifies anthropometrics and reverses the metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in premenopausal women. Am J. Coll. Nutr. 24:486-493.
• Fernandez ML. 2005. Dietary cholesterol provided by eggs and plasma lipoproteins in healthy populations. Curr. Op. Med Nutr. Met Care 9:8-12.
• Greene CM, Zern TL, Wood R,  Shrestha S, Aggarwal D, Sharman M, Volek JS & Fernandez ML. 2005. Maintenance of the LDL cholesterol: HDL cholesterol ration in an elderly population given a dietary cholesterol challenge. J. Nutr. 135: 2793-2798.
• Zern TL & Fernandez ML. 2005. Cardioprotective effects of dietary polyphenols 2005. J. Nutr. 135:2291-2294
• West KL, McGrane MM, Odon D, Kelley BL & Fernandez ML. 2005 SC-435, an ileal apical sodium-codependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitor alters mRNA levels and enzyme activities of selected genes involved in hepatic cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. Biochem 16:722-728.
• Fernandez ML & West KL. 2005. Mechanisms by which dietary fatty acids modulate plasma Lipids J. Nutr. 135: 2075-2078.
• Zern TL, Wood R, Greene CM, West KL, Liu Y, Aggarwal D, Shachter NS & Fernandez ML. 2005. Grape polyphenols lower plasma lipids and apolipoproteins associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease in pre and post-menopausal women. J. Nutr. 135:1911-1947.
• Lofgren IE, Zern TL, Herron KL, West KL, Sharman M, Volek JS Shachter NS, Koo SI & Fernandez ML.  2005. Weight loss reduces the atherogenicity of LDL in premenopausal women. Metabolism  Clin. Exp 54:1133-1141.
• Fernandez ML & Vega-Lopez S. 2005. Efficacy and safety of β-sitosterol in the management of blood cholesterol levels. Cardiovasc. Res. 23:73-86.
• Lofgren IE, Herron KL, West KL, Zern TL, Patalay M, Koo SI & Fernandez ML. 2005. Carbohydrate intake is correlated with biomarkers for coronary heart disease in a population of overweight premenopausal women. J. Nutr. Biochem. 16:245-250.
• Patalay MK, Lofgren IE, Freake HC, Koo SI, Fernandez ML. 2005. The lowering of plasma lipids following a weight reduction program is related to increased expression of the LDL receptor and lipoprotein lipase. J. Nutr. 135:735-739.
• Ballesteros MN, Cabrera RM, Saucedo MS, Aggarwal D, Shachter NS & Fernandez ML. 2005. Identification of risk factors for chronic disease in a population of children from Northern Mexico. J. Nutr. 135:70-73.
• Fernandez ML, Metghalchi S, Vega-López S, Conde-Knape K, Lohman TG & Cordero-MacIntyre Z. 2004. Beneficial effects of weight loss on plasma apolipoproteins in postmenopausal women. J. Nutr. Biochem. 15:717-721.
• Ballesteros MN, Cabrera RM, Saucedo MS & Fernandez ML.2004. Dietary cholesterol does not increase biomarkers for chronic disease in a pediatric population at risk from Northern Mexico. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 80: 855-861
• Lofgren IE, Herron KL, Zern TL, West KL, Patalay M, Shachter NS, Koo SI & Fernandez ML. 2004. Waist circumference is a better predictor than body mass index of coronary heart disease risk in overweight premenopausal women J. Nutr. 134: 1071-1076.
• Cordero-MacIntyre Z, Metghalchi S, Rosen J, Warrens P, Lohman T & Fernandez ML. 2004. Impact of weight loss on plasma leptin in obese postmenopausal women treated with phenteremine hydrochloride. J. Applied Research 4:60-67.
• West KL & Fernandez ML. 2004. Guinea pigs as models to study the hypocholesesterolemic effects of drugs.  Cardiovascular Reviews. 22:7-22.
• Herron KL, Lofgren IE, Sharma M, Volek JS & Fernandez ML. 2004 . A high intake of dietary cholesterol does not result in more atherogenic LDL particles in men and women independent of response classification. Metab. Clin. Exp 53:823-830.
• Herron KL & Fernandez ML. 2003. Are the current dietary guidelines regarding egg consumption appropriate? J. Nutr. 134: 187-190.
• West KL, Zern TL, Butteinger D, Keller BT & Fernandez ML. 2003. SC-435, an ileal apical sodium co-dependent bile acid transporter (ASBT) inhibitor lowers plasma cholesterol and reduces atherosclerosis in guinea pigs. Atherosclerosis 171:201-210.
• Zern TL, West KL & Fernandez ML. 2003. Grape polyphenols decrease plasma triglycerides and reduce cholesterol accumulation in the aorta of ovariectomized guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 133: 2268-2272.
• Herron KL, Vega-Lopez S, Ramjiganesh T, Conde-Knape K, Shachter N, Fernandez ML. 2003. Men classified as hypo- or hyper-responders to dietary cholesterol feeding exhibit differences in lipoprotein metabolism. J. Nutr. 133:1036-1042.
• Greaves KA, Going SB, Fernandez ML, Anderson SA, Milliken LA, Lohman TG, Bassford T & McNamara DJ. 2002. Cholesteryl ester transfer protein and lecithin: Cholesterol acyltransferase activities in hispanic and anglo postmenopausal women . Metab. Clin. Exp. 52:282-289.
• Vega-Lopez S., Freake HC & Fernandez ML. 2003. Sex and hormonal status modulate the effects of psyllium on plasma lipids and monocyte gene expression. J. Nutr. 133:67-70.
• West KL, Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Keller BT & Fernandez ML. 2002 SC-435, an ileal, apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter inhibitor (ASBT) alters hepatic cholesterol metabolism and lowers plasma low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol concentrations in guinea pigs. J. Pharmacol Exp. Theraup. 303: 291-299.
• Ensign W, McNamara DJ & Fernandez ML 2002. Exercise improves plasma lipid profiles and modifies lipoprotein composition in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. Biochem. 12: 747-753.
• Roy S, Freake HC & Fernandez ML. 2002. Gender and hormonal status affect the regulation of hepatic cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase activity and mRNA abundance by dietary soluble fiber in the guinea pig.  Atherosclerosis. 163:29-37.
• Herron KJ, Vega-Lopez S, Conde K, Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Shachter N & Fernandez ML.  2002. Pre-menopausal women classified as hypo-or hyper-responders, do not alter their LDL/HDL ratio following a high dietary cholesterol challenge. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 21:250-258.
• Romero AL, West KL, Zern TL & Fernandez ML. 2002. The seeds from Plantago ovata  lower plasma lipids by altering hepatic and bile acid metabolism in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 132: 1194-1198.
• Vega-Lopez S, Conde K, Vidal-Quintanar RL, Shachter NS & Fernandez ML. 2002. Sex and Hormonal Status Influence the Effects of Psyllium on Lipoprotein Remodeling and Composition. Metab. Clin Exp. 51:500-507.
• Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Freake HC, McIntyre J & Fernandez ML. 2002. Corn fiber oil lowers plasma cholesterol by altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism and by up-regulating hepatic LDL receptors in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 131:335-340.
• Cos E, Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Yoganathan S, Nicolosi RJ and Fernandez ML. 2001.Soluble fiber and soybean protein reduce atherosclerotic lesions in guinea pigs. Sex and hormonal status determine lesion extension. Lipids. 11:1209-1216.
• Fernandez ML, West KL, Roy S & Ramjiganesh T. 2001. Dietary fat saturation and gender/hormonal status modulate plasma lipids and lipoprotein composition  J. Nutr. Biochem 12:703-710.
• Vega-Lopez S., Vidal-Quintanar RL and Fernandez ML. 2001. Sex and hormonal status modulate the plasma lipid responses to psyllium. Am J. Clin. Nutr. 74:435-441.
• Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, McIntyre J & Fernandez ML. 2001. The hypocholesterolemic effects of sitostanol are in part related to changes in hepatic lipids and lipoprotein composition in guinea pigs Brit. J. Nutr. 85:165-172.
• Fernandez, ML. 2001. Guinea pigs as models for cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. J. Nutr. 131:10-20.
• Fernandez ML. 2001. Soluble fiber and non-digestible carbohydrate effects on plasma lipids and cardiovascular risk. Curr. Op. Lipidiol. 12:35-40
• Hasegawakatz T, Lohman T, Fernandez ML, & Cordero-MacIntyre Z. 2000. A prospective study on a weight reduction program and its impact on blood lipids, insulin and glucose levels, blood pressure and health practices. J. Fukui Med. Univ 1: 383-400.
• Ramjiganesh T, Roy S, Young TL, Nicolosi R, McIntyre J & Fernandez ML. 2000. Corn husk oil lowers plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations by decreasing cholesterol absorption and altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs  J. Nutr. Biochem. 11:358-366.
• Fernandez ML, Roy  S & Vergara-Jimenez M. 2000. Resistant starch and cholestyramine have distinct effects on hepatic cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. Nutr. Res. 20:837-850.
• Cordero-MacIntyre Z, Lohman TG, Rosen J, Peters W,  España RC, Dickinson B, Reid PM, Howell WH and Fernandez ML. 2000. Weight loss is correlated with an improved lipoprotein profile in obese post-menopausal women. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 19:275-284.
• Roy S, Vega-Lopez S & Fernandez ML. 2000. Gender and hormonal status affect the hypolipidemic mechanisms of dietary soluble fiber in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 130:600-607.
• Conde K, Roy S, Freake HC, Newton R & Fernandez ML. 1999. Atorvastatin and simvastatin have distinct effects on hydroxy methylglutaryl-CoA reductase activity and mRNA abundance in the guinea pig. Lipids 34:1327-1332.
• Conde K, Pineda G, Newton R & Fernandez ML. 1999.  Hypocholesterolemic effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors in the guinea pig. Atorvastatin versus Simvastatin. Biochem. Pharmacol. 58:1209-1219.
• Fernandez ML, Wilson TA, Conde K, Vergara-Jimenez M & Nicolosi RJ. 1999. Hamsters and guinea pigs differ in their plasma lipoprotein cholesterol distribution when fed diets varying in animal protein, soluble fiber or cholesterol content. J. Nutr. 129:1323-1332.
• Vergara-Jimenez M, Furr HC & Fernandez ML. 1999. Pectin and psyllium decrease the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. Biochem. 10:118-124.
• Sun D-M, Fernandez ML, Lin ECK & McNamara DJ. 1999. Regulation of guinea pig hepatic acyl-CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase activity by dietary fat saturation and cholesterol. J. Nutr. Biochem. 10:172-180.
• Vidal-Quintanar RL, Mendivil RL, Peña M and Fernandez ML. 1999. Lime-treated maize husks lower plasma LDL-cholesterol in normal and hypercholesterolemic adult men from northern Mexico. Brit. J. Nutr. 81:281-288.
• Romero AL, Romero JE, Galaviz S & Fernandez ML. 1998. Cookies enriched with psyllium and oat bran lower plasma LDL-cholesterol in normal and hypercholesterolemic men from Northern Mexico. J. Am. Coll. Nutr.17: 601-608.
• Shen H, He L, Price RL & Fernandez ML. 1998. Dietary soluble fiber lowers plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations by altering lipoprotein metabolism in female guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 128:1434-1441.
• Fernandez ML, Avalos C & Vergara-Jimenez M. 1998.  Differences in response between 18 carbon fatty acids and 12/14 carbon saturated fatty acids on plasma cholesterol in guinea pigs. Nutr. Res. 18:1261-1272. 
• Montano C, Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1998. Regulation of Apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins by Vitamin C level and dietary fat saturation in guinea pigs. Metab. Clin. Experim. 47: 883-891.
• Vergara-Jimenez M, Conde K, Erickson S & Fernandez ML. 1998. Hypolipidemic mechanisms of pectin and psyllium in guinea pigs fed high fat-sucrose diets: alterations on hepatic cholesterol metabolism. J. Lipid Res. 39:1455-1465.
• He L & Fernandez ML. 1998.  Saturated fat and simple carbohydrates elevate plasma LDL cholesterol concentrations by specific alterations on hepatic cholesterol metabolism. Nutr. Res.18:1003-1015.
• Abdel Fattah G, Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1998. Regulation of very low density lipoprotein apo B metabolism by dietary fat saturation and chain length in the guinea pig. Lipids  33:23-31.
• He L & Fernandez ML. 1998. Dietary carbohydrate type and fat saturation independently regulate hepatic cholesterol and LDL metabolism in guinea pigs J. Nutr. Biochem. 9:37-46.
• Vidal-Quintanar RL, Hernandez L, Conde K. Vergara-Jimenez M & Fernandez ML. 1997. Lime-treated corn  husks lower plasma LDL cholesterol in guinea pigs by altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism. J. Nutr. Biochem. 8:479-486.
• Fernandez ML, Vega S, Ayala MT, Shen H, Conde K, Vergara-Jimenez M, & Robbins A. 1997. Vitamin C level and dietary fat saturation alter hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and plasma LDL metabolism in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. Biochem. 8:414-424.
• Fernandez ML, Conde K, Vergara-Jimenez M, Behr T.  & Abdel-Fattah G. 1997. Regulation of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins by dietary soluble fiber in guinea pigs. Am. J. Clin. Nutr65:814-822.
• Conde K, Vergara-Jimenez M, Crouse B, Newton R & Fernandez ML. 1996. Hypocholesterolemic actons of atorvastatin are associated with allterations on hepatic cholesterol metabolism and lipoprotein composition in the guinea pig. J. Lipid Res. 37:2372-2382.
• Fernandez ML, Vergara-Jimenez M, Conde K & Abdel-Fattah G. 1996. Dietary carbohydrate type and fat amount alter VLDL and LDL metabolism in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 126:2494-2504.
• Fernandez ML, McDonald BE, Soscia AE, Sun G-S & McNamara DJ. 1996. Olive oil and rapeseed oil differ in their effect on plasma low-density lipoprotein metabolism in the guinea-pig.  Brit. J. Nutr 76:869-880.
• Romero AL & Fernandez ML. 1996. Dietary fat amount and carbohydrate type regulate hepatic acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity. Possible links between hepatic ACAT activity and plasma cholesterol levels. Nutr. Res.16:937-948.
• Fernandez ML. 1995. Distinct mechanisms of plasma LDL lowering by dietary soluble fiber in the guinea pig. Specific effects of pectin, guar gum and psyllium. J. Lipid Res.36: 2394-2404.
• Fernandez ML, Vergara M, Romero AL, Erickson S & McNamara DJ. 1995. Gender differences in response to dietary soluble fiber in guinea pigs: effects of pectin, guar gum and psylliium. J. Lipid Res. 36: 2191-2202.
• Fernandez ML, Conde K, Ruiz L, Montano C & McNamara DJ. 1995. Carbohydrate type and amount alter intravascular processing and catabolism of plasma lipoproteins in guinea pigs. Lipids.30:619-626.
• Fernandez ML, Sun DM, Montano CM & McNamara DJ. 1995. Carbohydrate-fat exchange and regulation of hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism Metabolism 44:855-864.
• Abdel Fattah G, Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1995. Regulation of guinea pig very low density lipoprotein secretion rates by dietary fat saturation. J. Lipid Res. 36:1188-1198.
• Fernandez ML, Ruiz LR, Conde AK, Sun D-M, Erickson S & McNamara DJ.1995. Psyllium reduces plasma LDL in guinea pigs by altering hepatic cholesterol metabolism. J Lipid Res 36:1128-1138.
• Fernandez ML, Abdel Fattah G & McNamara DJ. 1995. Differential effects of simple and complex carbohydrates on VLDL secretion rates and HDL metabolism in the guinea pig. Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1256:31-38.
• Fernandez ML, Sun DM, Tosca M & McNamara DJ. 1995. Differential effects of guar gum on LDL and hepatic cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs fed low and high cholesterol diets. A dose response study.  Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 61:127-134.
• Lin ECK, Fernandez ML, Tosca M & McNamara DJ. 1995. Dietary fat and cholesterol regulation of HDL metabolism: hepatic HDL binding and in vivo apolipoprotein A-I catabolism in guinea pigs. Atherosclerosis 112:161-175.
• Fernandez ML, Lin ECK & McNamara, DJ. 1994. Dietary saturated fat composition modifies high density lipoprotein binding to guinea pig hepatic membranes. Nutr. Res. 14:753-764.
• Fernandez ML, Lin ECK, Trejo A & McNamara DJ. 1994. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp) pectin alters hepatic cholesterol homeostasis without affecting cholesterol absorption in guinea pigs fed a hypercholesterolemic diet. J. Nutr. 124:817-824.
• Fernandez ML, Sun D-M, Tosca M & McNamara DJ. 1994. Citrus pectin and cholesterol interact to regulate hepatic cholesterol homeostasis and lipoprotein metabolism. A dose response study in the guinea pig. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 59:869-878.
• Lin ECK, Fernandez, ML &McNamara DJ. 1994. Regulation of hepatic LDL metabolism in the guinea pig by dietary fat and cholesterol. J. Lipid Res. 35: 446-457.
• Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1994. Dietary fat saturation and chain length modulate guinea pig hepatic cholesterol metabolism. J. Nutr. 124:331-339.
• Fernandez ML, Abdel-Fattah G & McNamara DJ. 1993. Dietary fat saturation modifies the metabolism of LDL subfractions in guinea pigs.  Arterioscler. Thromb. 14:1418-1428.
• Fernandez ML, Lin ECK, Trejo A & McNamara D.J. 1992. Prickly pear (Opuntia sp) reverses low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor suppression induced by a hypercholesterolemic diet in guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 122:2330-2340.
• Fernandez ML, Lin ECK & McNamara DJ. 1992. Differential effects of saturated fatty acids on low density lipoprotein metabolism in the guinea pig. J. Lipid Res.33:1833-1842.
• Lin ECK, Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1992. Dietary fat type and cholesterol quantity interact to affect cholesterol metabolism in guinea pigs. J. Nutr.122:2019-2029.
• Fernandez ML, Lin ECK & McNamara DJ. 1992. Regulation of guinea pig plasma low density lipoprotein kinetics by dietary fat saturation. J. Lipid Res. 33:97-109.
• Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ.1992 .Regulation of cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in guinea pigs mediated by dietary fat quality and quantity. J.Nutr.121:934-943.
• Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1991. Characterization of high density lipoprotein binding to guinea pig hepatic membranes: Effects of dietary fat quality and cholesterol. Metabolism 40:127-134.
• Fernandez ML,Trejo A, & McNamara DJ. 1990. Pectin isolated from prickly pear (Opuntia sp) modifies low density lipoprotein (LDL) in cholesterol-fed guinea pigs. J. Nutr. 120:1283-1290.
• Fernandez ML, Yount NY & McNamara DJ. 1990. Whole body cholesterol synthesis in the guinea pig. Effects of dietary fat quality. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1044:340-348.
• Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1990. High density lipoprotein binding to guinea pig hepatic membranes. Comparison of guinea pig and human ligands. Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1042:142-145.
• Fernandez ML & McNamara DJ. 1989. Dietary fat mediated changes in hepatic apo B/E receptors in the guinea pig. Metabolism. 38:1094-1102.
• Fernandez ML & Berry JW. 1988. Effect of germination on chickpea starch. Starch/Starke. 41:17-21.
• Fernandez ML & Berry JW. 1988. Rheological properties of flour and sensory characteristics of bread made from germinated chickpea. Int. J. Food Sci Tech.
• Fernandez ML & Berry JW. 1988.  Nutritional evaluation of chickpea and germinated chickpea flours. Plants Hum. Nutr. 38:127-134.
• Fernandez de Tonella ML & Berry JW. 1987. Characteristics of a chocolate beverage from germinated chickpeas. J. Food Sci. 52:726-728.
• Fernandez de Tonella ML & Yepiz MS 1986. Effects of lysine and methionine fortification on dough and bread characteristics. J. Food Sci. 51:637-644.
• Tonella ML, Sanchez M and Salazar MG. 1983. Physical, chemical, nutritional and sensory properties of corn-based fortified food products. J. Food Sci. 48:1637-1643.
• Fernandez de Tonella ML, Taylor RR & Stull JW. 1981. Properties of a chocolate based chickpea beverage. Cereal Foods World 26:29-30.

Book Chapters

• Fernandez ML & Vergara-Jimenez M. 2005. "Associations between Carbohydrate Intake and Risk for Coronary Heart Disease, Insulin Resistance and the Metabolic Syndrome. In Focus on Dietary Carbohydrate Research. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY.
  
• Fernandez ML. 1998. "Dietary Fiber and LDL Metabolism." European Symposium on functional properties of non-digestible carbohydrates. Lisbon Portugal. p 29-34.
  
• Fernandez ML. 1998. "Pectin: Composition, physico-chemical properties, food applications and physiological effects", in Handbook of Dietary fiber, 2nd edition. Marcel Dekker. New York, NY.

News and Updates

"What's Happening"
The Spring-Fall 2007 edition of the Department of Nutritional Sciences newsletter, "What's Happening," is available as a pdf here.

Positions Open

Pre-Doctoral Fellowships Available
The Department of Nutritional Sciences is offering 3 pre-doctoral fellowships for outstanding students for 3 years.