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.

Rebecca Glaser, MD, Alliance Cancer Center – Breast Cancer Research Project (Start date: 06/2001)
Purpose: To study salivary hormone profiles in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Claire Vanston, MSc, Simon Fraser University – “Pregnancy Study” (Start date: 04/2003)
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.

Oregon Health Sciences University, Alison Edelman, MD, Jeffrey Jensen, MD (Start date: 09/2004)
“Equivalency Testing of Plasma versus Blood Spot Sampling for Gonadotropins and Ovarian Hormone Levels." Purpose: To develop a blood spot test for steroid hormones and gonadotropins that will help facilitate clinical studies on new contraceptive hormones.

Rebecca Glaser, MD, Alliance Cancer Center – (Start date: 01/2005)
Absorption of hormones delivered through the mucus membrane of the labia and vagina. Purpose: To study the efficacy of vaginal hormone uptake by saliva and blood spot testing and compare this with conventional oral and topical hormone delivery. Preliminary data: Saliva and blood spot testing equivalent to conventional serum testing for detecting changes associated with pre and post hormone supplementation. Balancing hormones by bio-identical hormone replacement in hormone deficient women is associated with improvement in symptoms of hormone deficiency.

Kenna Stephenson, MD, University of Texas at Tyler (KS0105) – (Start date: 01/2005)
“Yoga as a Stress Reduction Intervention for Nursing Faculty.” Purpose: To study the effects of stress reduction techniques on levels of stress hormones.

Kenna Stephenson, MD, University of Texas at Tyler (KS0205) – (Start date: 02/2005)
"BioTouch Therapy and Infections, Quality of Life and Neuroendocrine Measures in Elderly Residents of an Assisted Living Facility." Purpose: To study the levels of salivary and blood (blood spot) levels of hormones in the very old (average age 85). Preliminary data: The very old have hormone profiles showing very low anabolic hormones (testosterone, DHEAS) and elevated catabolic hormones (cortisol), particularly at night. Study confirms that advanced aging is associated with a shift from anabolic to catabolic dominance.

Kenna Stephenson, MD, University of Texas at Tyler (KS0744) – (Start date: 04/2005)
"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 – (Start date: 05/2005)
"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) -- (Start date: 05/2005)
"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.

Mohamed Masoud, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow in Orthodontics, Harvard School of Dental Medicine – IGF-1 testing for thesis paper. (Start date: 08/2005).
Purpose: To study the level of IGF-1 (an index of growth hormone production) in relationship to growth and development in preadolescent girls and boys. Preliminary data: Strong correlation of IGF-1 to stage of physical development in adolescents.

National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Carlo Calabrese, ND, MPH) - (Start date: 08/2005)
"Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Expectancy and Outcomes." (CAMEO)
Purpose: To study the adrenal function in expectancy and treatment of metabolic syndrome and obesity.

National College of Naturopathic Medicine (Heather Zwickey, PhD) – (Start date: 09/2005)
"Relax Mama: Relaxation Visualization Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients in Radiotherapy." Purpose: To study the effects of radiation therapy on adrenal (cortisol, DHEA) and gonadal (estradiol, progesterone, testosterone) hormone profile in breast cancer patients before and after radiation therapy.

Nutrimed (Howtoeatright.net) (Walther Meyer MD, CMD). (Start date: 10/2005)
"Metabolic syndrome wellness screening program using dried bloodspot." Purpose: To study different markers of metabolic syndrome using dried bloodspot and to develop a web based wellness screening program.

Developmental Endocrinology Research Group Molecular Genetics Unit Institute of Child Health University College London (Peter Hindmarsh, PhD; Professor of Paediatric Endocrinology). (Start date: 08/2007)
"Anti-inflammatory & anti-atherogenic effects associated with insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus." Purpose: 1) To assess the impact of mode of insulin delivery on pro-inflammatory markers, lipid profile and blood pressure; 2) To assess within each therapeutic modality the degree of glucose and insulin variability and impact on pro-inflammatory markers, lipid profile and blood pressure.

Kenna Stephenson, MD, University of Texas at Tyler. (Start date: 10/2007)
"Measurement of Neuroendocrine and inflammatory/immune biomarkers." Purpose: To investigate potential effects of mood, and neuroendocrine factors on cognition and quality of life, among elderly and very elderly individuals living in assisted living facilities.