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Comparative Medicine
Dr. Michael Adams

Michael R. Adams, DVM

Professor of Pathology (Comparative Medicine)

Tel: (336) 716-1580
Fax: (336) 716-1515
madams@wfubmc.edu

Director, Comparative Medicine Training Program
Board Certification: Diplomate, ACLAM: Laboratory Animal Medicine
Education:
  • Undergraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, BS 1972
  • Postgraduate: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, DVM 1972
  • Fellowship: Bowman Gray School of Medicine, 1975-1976
Interests:
  • Teaching: Arteriosclerosis; Comparative Medicine; Medical Primatology.
  • Research: Pathogenesis of Arteriosclerosis; Hormonal Effects on Arteriosclerosis; Cardiovascular Disease in Females; Nutrition; Molecular Genetics.
  • Clinical: Nonhuman Primate Medicine and Reproductive Function.
Current Research Project: Estrogen, Atherosclerosis, Animal Models

In our laboratory we have utilized a nonhuman primate model and a transgenic mouse model of arteriosclerosis to study certain modulators of the progression of coronary artery atherosclerosis and development of coronary heart disease. Specifically, we are interested in determining how gender and sex hormones influence the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and the function of atherosclerotic vessels. Utilizing histomorphometric approaches, we have found that both natural and synthetic estrogens inhibit atherosclerosis initiation and progression. Using immunohistochemical and molecular approaches, we are investigating the possible role of sex hormone receptors, cytokines and growth factors in mediating this effect.

Also, in collaboration with Dr. Jan Wagner and others, we are determining the effects of sex hormones on arterial cellular lipoprotein metabolism. With Dr. Williams, we have determined that estrogens promote dilation of atherosclerotic arteries and may, thereby, inhibit atherosclerosis progression and episodic myocardial ischemia or, perhaps, infarction. Current efforts are directed at determining cellular and molecular processes involved in estrogen's apparent beneficial cardiovascular effects.

Publications:

Perry DL, Spedick JM, McCoy TP, Adams MR, Franke AA, Cline JM. Dietary soy protein containing isoflavonoids does not adversely affect the reproductive tract of male cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). J Nutr. 2007 Jun;137(6):1390-4.

Walker SE, Adams MR, Franke AA, Register TC. Effects of dietary soy protein on iliac and carotid artery atherosclerosis and gene expression in male monkeys.  Atherosclerosis. 2007 Mar 14; [Epub ahead of print]

Adams MR, Anthony MS, Chen H, Clarkson TB. Replacement of dietary soy protein isolate with concentrates of soy 7S or 11S globulin has minimal or no effects on plasma lipoprotein profiles and biomarkers of coronary risk in monkeys. Atherosclerosis. 2007 Mar 8; [Epub ahead of print] 

Stroud FC, Appt SE, Wilson ME, Franke AA, Adams MR, Kaplan JR. Concentrations of isoflavones in macaques consuming standard laboratory monkey diet. J Am Assoc Lab Anim Sci. 2006 Jul;45(4):20-3.

Adams MR, Golden DL, Chen H, Register TC, Gugger ET. A diet rich in green and yellow vegetables inhibits atherosclerosis in mice. J Nutr. 2006 Jul;136(7):1886-9. 

Adams MR, Golden DL, Williams JK, Franke AA, Register TC, Kaplan JR. Soy protein containing isoflavones reduces the size of atherosclerotic plaques without affecting coronary artery reactivity in adult male monkeys. J Nutr. 2005 Dec;135(12):2852-6.

Hu S, Lu SF, Kaplan JR, Adams MR, Simon NG. ERbeta protein expression in female cynomolgus monkey and CF-1 mouse brain: Western analysis. J Neurobiol. 2005 Sep 5;64(3):298-309.

Register TC, Cann JA, Kaplan JR, Williams JK, Adams MR, Morgan TM, Anthony MS, Blair RM, Wagner JD, Clarkson TB. Effects of Soy Isoflavones and Conjugated Equine Estrogens on Inflammatory Markers in Atherosclerotic, Ovariectomized Monkeys. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Mar;90(3):1734-40.

Adams MR, Williams JK, Kaplan JR. Estrogens, progestins, and atherosclerosis. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004 Nov;24(11):e190; author reply e190-1.

Simon NG, Kaplan JR, Hu S, Register TC, Adams MR. Increased aggressive behavior and decreased affiliative behavior in adult male monkeys after long-term consumption of diets rich in soy protein and isoflavones. Horm Behav. 2004 Apr;45(4):278-84.

Adams MR, Golden DL, Franke AA, Potter SM, Smith HS, Anthony MS. Dietary soy beta-conglycinin (7S globulin) inhibits atherosclerosis in mice. J Nutr. 2004 Mar;134(3):511-6.

Cline JM, Franke AA, Register TC, Golden DL, Adams MR. Effects of dietary isoflavone aglycones on the reproductive tract of male and female mice. Toxicol Pathol. 2004 Jan-Feb;32(1):91-9.

Stavisky RC, Watson SL, Anthony MS, Manuck SB, Adams MR, Kaplan JR. Influence of estradiol on cortisol secretion in ovariectomized cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Am J Primatol. 2003 May;60(1):17-22.

Adams MR, Golden DL, Register TC, Anthony MS, Hodgin JB, Maeda N, Williams JK. The atheroprotective effect of dietary soy isoflavones in apolipoprotein E-/- mice requires the presence of estrogen receptor-alpha. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2002 Nov 1;22(11):1859-64.

Adams MR, Golden DL, Anthony MS, Register TC, Williams JK. The inhibitory effect of soy protein isolate on atherosclerosis in mice does not require the presence of LDL receptors or alteration of plasma lipoproteins. J Nutr. 2002 Jan;132(1):43-9.

Register TC, Carlson CS, Adams MR. Serum YKL-40 is associated with osteoarthritis and atherosclerosis in nonhuman primates. Clin Chem. 2001 Dec;47(12):2159-61.

Stavisky RC, Adams MR, Watson SL, Kaplan JR. Dominance, cortisol, and behavior in small groups of female cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Horm Behav. 2001 May;39(3):232-8.

Cline JM, Soderqvist G, Register TC, Williams JK, Adams MR, Von Schoultz B. Assessment of hormonally active agents in the reproductive tract of female nonhuman primates. Toxicol Pathol. 2001 Jan-Feb;29(1):84-90.

Adams MR, Anthony MS, Manning JM, Golden DL, Parks JS. Low-dose contraceptive estrogen-progestin and coronary artery atherosclerosis of monkeys. Obstet Gynecol. 2000 Aug;96(2):250-5.

Lee CS, Choi JM, Pak DH, Kang DY, Register TC, Adams MR. Inhibition of expression of P-selectin by antioxidant in cholesterol-fed rats. J Korean Med Sci. 1999 Feb;14(1):8-14.

Schwenke DC, Wagner JD, Adams MR. In-vitro lipid peroxidation of LDL from postmenopausal cynomolgus macaques treated with female hormones. J Lipid Res. 1999 Feb;40(2):235-244.

Register TC, Adams MR, Golden DL, Clarkson TB. Conjugated equine estrogens alone, but not in combination with medroxyprogesterone acetate, inhibit aortic connective tissue remodeling after plasma lipid lowering in female monkeys. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998 Jul;18(7):1164-71.

Register TC, Adams MR. Coronary artery and cultured aortic smooth muscle cells express mRNA for both the classical estrogen receptor and the newly described estrogen receptor beta. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 1998 Feb;64(3-4):187-91.

Geary RL, Adams MR, Benjamin ME, Williams JK. Conjugated equine estrogens inhibit progression of atherosclerosis but have no effect on intimal hyperplasia or arterial remodeling induced by balloon catheter injury in monkeys. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998 Apr;31(5):1158-64.