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Research

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ZRT Laboratory is committed to advancing health wellness through excellence in research, education and minimally invasive testing. We are extensively engaged in collaborative clinical research with investigators interested in similar disciplines. Areas of special interest include endocrinology, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. With mutual goals in mind, we offer the use of our testing facility and the clinical expertise of our staff to support the design and execution of research projects.

Research Strengths & Collaborations

Research at ZRT focuses on learning more about imbalances through saliva, dried blood spot and urine testing. The objective of research at ZRT is to increase the quality of life through the development of testing methods that provide the convenience of sample collection outside the clinical setting. These technologies can potentially expand the scope of endocrinological studies to previously unreachable subjects and study sites. Simplified methods of sample collection also provide viable options for carrying out large-scale research and clinical studies. ZRT Laboratory has applied an innovative approach to medical research in a number of key areas including hormonal imbalances and quality of life; cardiovascular disease and breast cancer; Vitamin D deficiency; reproductive endocrinology; botanical and herbal medicines; diabetes, and osteoporosis. 
 
We currently have active collaborations with several clinical and research investigators worldwide.
 

Department Resources

The Research Department is located at ZRT’s headquarters in Beaverton, OR and closely collaborates with the clinical laboratory which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. Researchers have ready access to multi-well plate readers, robotic handling of samples,  incubators and freezers, preparative and ultracentrifuges, automated plate washers, and computerized blood spot punchers. In addition, the Research Core Facility is equipped with numerous technologies that may be used by all researchers at ZRT.

ZRT Laboratory Scientific Collaborations

ZRT’s research team actively participates in collaborative projects with several lead investigators to bring you the latest science behind saliva and dried blood spot testing biomarkers and their significance in better health management of your patients. Following is a list of projects that ZRT is researching in collaboration with other well-known experts in the field.

Michael Lu, MD, PhD and Madeleine Shalowitz, MD, MBA - CCHN Study.
Purpose: Looking at stress and resilience and their influences on maternal allostatic load as a mediator of birth outcomes and child health and development. Testing total cholesterol, HDL, hs-CRP, HbA1c and cortisol.

Achala Raman, Dept. of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Government Dental College and Research Institute, Fort Bangalore, Karnataka, India - Relative Assessment of Blood Spot IGF-1 Levels and Skeletal Maturity Indicators.
Purpose: Looking at IGF-1 levels in patients on orthodontic treatments to determine if there is a relationship with skeletal maturation stages using cephalometric and hand-wrist radiographs.

Ashley Haywood, NCNM - PCOS Gymnema.
Purpose: Study feasibility of natural treatment for PCOS, in particular, Gymnema Sylvestra and its effects on menstrual cycle regularity. Testing testosterone, LH, FSH, SHBG, glucose, insulin, HbA1c, estradiol, progesterone, cortisol.

Chisalbeth Guillermo, Psychology Department, UNLV - The Relationship Between Hormones Across the Menstrual Cycle and Functions of Mood and Cognition.
Purpose: Examine the relationship between Pg, DHEA, DHEAS, T, E2, E3 along with mood and cognition at different points during the female menstrual cycle. Also, to determine what role oral contraceptives have on the above mentioned hormones and on mood and cognition.

Kenna Stephenson, MD, FAAFP, University of Texas at Tyler - Mood, Aging and the Brain.
Purpose: To study the association of cognitive function, mood, memory and hormonal factors in aging.

Rebecca Glaser, MD, Alliance Cancer Center – Breast Cancer Research Project.
Purpose: To study salivary hormone profiles in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Preliminary data: Distinct and unique steroid hormone profile seen in breat cancer patients associated with high estrogens, low progesterone, high testosterone, low DHEAS, and high night cortisol.

Claire Vanston, MSc, Simon Fraser University – Pregnancy Study.
Purpose: To study 1) salivary hormone profiles at different stages of pregnancy and postpartum; 2) salivary hormone levels in pregnant women and cognition. Preliminary data: Estradiol and progesterone increase dramatically as pregnancy progresses and drop precipitously postpartum. Cognitive function in mother during pregnancy is associated with gender of fetus.

Kenna Stephenson, MD, FAAFP, University of Texas at Tyler (KS0744) – Compounded Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy: Outcomes, Immune, Inflammatory and Cardiovascular Effects (CHOIICE) in Premenopausal, Perimenopausal, and Postmenopausal Women.
Purpose: To study the effects of hormone replacement on inflammatory cardiovascular risk factors in relationship to salivary and blood (blood spot) levels before and after therapy.

Helene Leonetti, MD, Lehigh University – The Role of Transdermal Progesterone in Increased Osteoblastic Activity and Delay of Osteoporosis in Women Over 70 Years of Age.
Purpose: To study the role of topical progesterone on salivary and blood (blood spot) levels of progesterone in women using this hormone regimen for prevention of osteoporosis.

Heide Island, PhD, University of Montana (now at Pacific University in Oregon) - Sex Hormones in Young Males and Personality.
Purpose: To study the role of sex hormones (progesterone and testosterone) on personality traits in young men. Preliminary data: Strong correlation of personality traits to progesterone and testosterone levels in young males.