Stephanie Atkinson, McMaster University
Pediatrics
Professor
Hamilton, Ontario
satkins@mcmaster.ca
Office:
(905) 521-2100 ext. 75644
(905) 521-2100 ext. 75658
Expert In
Bio/Research
Dr. Atkinson is a nutritional scientist whose research interests encompass studies of the nutritional and endocrine regulation of growth processes, with a focus on skeletal development. Her clinical research has identified abnormalities in growth and bone development associated with disease or dr...
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Bio/Research
Dr. Atkinson is a nutritional scientist whose research interests encompass studies of the nutritional and endocrine regulation of growth processes, with a focus on skeletal development. Her clinical research has identified abnormalities in growth and bone development associated with disease or drug (e.g. steroids) therapies in children with disorders such as prematurity, leukemia, cystic fibrosis or epilepsy. Studies in children and an animal model have investigated the potential of anabolic agents such as nutrition, calcitriol, growth hormone, or insulin-like growth factor to preserve normal growth processes in target disease pediatric populations. Insights into the functional aspects of bone metabolism are assessed by bone histomorphometry, bone mass and body composition by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry, bone strength testing and measurements of bone bi markers such as osteocalcin, IGF-I, IGF binding protein and cross-linked C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen.
Using standard and mini pigs as animal models, current research focuses on the mechanisms by which steroid drugs alter bone metabolism during early development and the potential for osteoanabolic agents such as recombinant growth factors such as (growth hormone or IGF-I), bisphosphate drugs or calcitriol to attenuate the catabolic effects of the steroids on normal bone growth.
The long term objective of this area of research is to extend knowledge of how physiological mechanisms affecting mineral utilization change from infancy and throughout development, the impact of disease and drugs on these processes, and possible nutritional or pharmacological interventions that will ameliorate any abnormalities that might impede a child's genetic potential to achieve peak bone mass, a key factor in prevention of adult-onset osteoporosis.
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Using standard and mini pigs as animal models, current research focuses on the mechanisms by which steroid drugs alter bone metabolism during early development and the potential for osteoanabolic agents such as recombinant growth factors such as (growth hormone or IGF-I), bisphosphate drugs or calcitriol to attenuate the catabolic effects of the steroids on normal bone growth.
The long term objective of this area of research is to extend knowledge of how physiological mechanisms affecting mineral utilization change from infancy and throughout development, the impact of disease and drugs on these processes, and possible nutritional or pharmacological interventions that will ameliorate any abnormalities that might impede a child's genetic potential to achieve peak bone mass, a key factor in prevention of adult-onset osteoporosis.
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