Professor Dept. of Physiological
Nursing UCSF School of Nursing 2 Koret Way, #N-631 San Francisco, CA
94143-0610 Phone: (415) 476-0983Fax: (415) 476-8899
Email: marguerite.engler@nursing.ucsf.edu
Research
My basic science laboratory and clinical research focuses on the
role of nutrients in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular
disease. Basic science investigations have examined the effects of dietary
polyunsaturated fats (omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids) and their effects on the
cardiovascular system and on lipid metabolism.
Further studies have addressed
potential mechanisms for the effects. Clinical research investigations include
multidisciplinary collaborative teams evaluating the effects of nutritional
interventions on lipid metabolism and vascular endothelial function in
hyperlipidemia and hypertension.
Current Projects
The Endothelial Assessment of Risk in
Lipids from Youth (EARLY) Trial is currently underway (see the EARLY Trial web
site). This 5-year randomized primary prevention clinical trial includes
children and adolescents with genetic hyperlipidemias. The aim of the study is
to determine whether a National Cholesterol Education Program Step II diet alone
or in combination with vitamin supplements improves lipid metabolism, immune
function, vascular oxidative stress, blood pressure and vascular endothelial
function.
The beliefs and feelings of youth about cardiovascular status and its
relation to health outcomes will be examined. Health risk practices and
behaviors will also be determined. These studies will provide insight into the
mechanisms of endothelial dysfunction and contribute to potential nutritional
interventions for children and adolescents at high risk for premature coronary
artery disease.
Another randomized clinical trial is in progress. The aim of
this study is to determine the effects of vitamin C and E in adults with genetic
hyperlipidemia or hypertension on lipid profile, blood pressure and vascular
endothelial function.
This investigation may provide an alternative nutritional
approach to pharmacologic therapy for adults with risk factors for coronary
artery disease.
Teaching
My areas of teaching include cardiovascular physiology and
pathophysiology, nutritional interventions for cardiovascular health, and risk
factors for coronary heart disease.
Professional Activities
Editor-In-Chief, Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing American
Heart Association
Manuscript Reviewer for cardiovascular and nurtritional journals
Honors and Awards
Fellow, Council on Nutrition, Metabolism and Physical Activity, American
Heart Association
Fellow, Council on Cardiovascular Nursing,
American Heart Association
Research Award, Sigma Theta Tau, Alpha Eta Chapter
Outstanding Service Award for Professional Education,
American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate
National Institutes of Health Grant Award, National Institute of
Nursing Research "Diet, Endothelial Function and Pediatric
Hyperlipidemia" 2000-04
Education
Marymount University, Arlington, VA (AAS) American
University, Washington, DC (BS) American University , Washington, DC (MS,
Biology) Georgetown University, Washington, DC (PhD, Physiology)
Selected Publications
New! Search PubMed for publications by this author.
Czar, M.L., Engler, M.M., (1997) Perceived learning needs of patients with coronary artery disease using a questionnaire assessment tool.
Heart & Lung: Journal of Critical Care, 26, 109-117
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B. (1998) Dietary borage oil alters plasma, hepatic, and vascular tissue fatty acid composition in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 59(1):11-15.
Engler, M.M., Schambelan M., Engler M.B., Ball D.L., Goodfriend T.L. (1998)
Effects of dietary gamma-linolenic acid on blood pressure and adrenal angiotensin receptors in hypertensive rats. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 218 (3): 234-237
Engler M.M., Engler M.B. (1998)
The effects of dietary evening primrose, black currant, borage and fungal oils on plasma, hepatic, and vascular tissue fatty acid composition in spontaneously hypertensive rat. Nutrition Research, 18(9): 1533-1544.
Engler M.M., Engler M.B., Nguyen H. (1998)
Age-related changes in plasma and tissue fatty acid composition in Fischer 344 rats. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology International, 46, 6, 1117-1126.
Engler, M.M., Engler M.B., Goodfriend T.L, Ball D.L, Yu Z., Su P., Kroetz D.L. (1999)
Docosahexaenoic acid is an antihypertensive nutrient which affects aldosterone production in SHR. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine, 221:(1):32-38.
Engler M.B., Engler M.M., Mayes M.M., Ursell P.C. (1999)
Effects of the omega-3 fatty acids on vascular tone in hypercholesterolaemia and balloon-arterial injury. The Asia Pacific Heart Journal, 8 (1):27-35
Engler, M.M., Engler M.B., Kroetz D.L., Boswell K.D.B., Neeley E., Krassner S.M. (1999)
The effects of a diet rich in docosahexaenoic acid on organ and vascular fatty acid composition in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 61(5):289-296.
Engler, M.B., Ma Y.H., Engler M.M. (1999)
Calcium-mediated mechanisms of eicosapentaenoic acid-induced relaxation in hypertensive rat aorta. American Journal of Hypertension, 12:1225-1235.
Engler, M.B., Engler, M.M. (2000) Mechanisms of vasorelaxation induced by eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5w-3) in WKY rat aorta. British Journal of Pharmacology, 131: 1793-1799.
Engler, M.B., Engler, M.M. (2000) Docosahexaenoic acid-induced vasorelaxation in hypertensive rats: mechanism of action. Biological Research for Nursing, 2: 85-95.
Kris-Etherton, P., Daniels, S.R., Eckel, R.H., Engler, M.M., Howard, B.V. et al. (2001) Summary of the Scientific Conference on Dietary Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health:
Conference Summary from the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. Circulation, 103: 1034-1039.
Engler, M.M. (2001) Bridging the gap between information technology and cardiovascular nursing. Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing, 16(1): 4.
Kris-Etherton, P., Daniels, S.R., Eckel, R.H., Engler, M.M., Howard, B.V., Krauss, R.M. et al. (2001)
AHA Scientific Statement: Summary of the Scientific Conference on Dietary Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health.
Conference Summary from the Nutrition Committee of the American Heart Association. Journal of Nutrition, 131(4): 1322-1326.
Engler, M.M. (2001).
The Hypotensive Effect of Dietary Gamma-Linolenic Acid and Associated Alterations in Tissue Fatty Acid Composition and the Renin-Angiotensin System.
In Gamma-Linolenic Acid: Recent Advances in Biotechnology and Clinical Applications, Huang Y.S. & Ziboh V.A., editors. AOCS Press, Champaign, Illinois.
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B., Pierson D.M., Molteni, L.B., Molteni A. (2003).
Effects of docosahexaenoic acid on vascular pathology and reactivity in hypertension. Experimental Biology and Medicine, 228: 299-307.
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B., Malloy, M.J., Chiu, E.Y., Schloetter, M.S., Paul, S., Stuehlinger, M., Lin, K.Y., Cooke, J.P.,
Morrow, J.D., Ridker, P.M., Rifai, N., Miller, E., Witztum, J.L., Mietus-Snyder, M. (2003).
Antioxidant vitamins C and E improve endothelial function in children with hyperlipidemia:
Endothelial Assessment of Risk from Lipids in Youth (EARLY) Trial. Circulation, 108: 1059-1063.
Engler, M.B., Engler, M.M. (2004).
The vasculoprotective effects of flavonoid-rich cocoa and chocolate. Nutrition Research, 24(9): 695-706.
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B., Malloy, M.J., Chiu, E.L., Besio, D., Stuehlinger, M., Morrow, J.D., Ridker, P.M., Rifai, N., Mietus·Snyder, M. (2004).
Docosahexaenoic acid restores endothelial function in children with hyperlipidemia:
Results from the EARLY Study. International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 42(12), 672-679.
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B., Arterburn, L.M., Bailey, E., Chiu, E.Y., Malloy, M.J., Mietus-Snyder, M.L. (2004).
Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation alters plasma phospholipid fatty acid composition in hyperlipidemic childen: Results from
the EARLY study. Nutrition Research, 24:721-729.
Engler, M.B., Engler, M.M., Chen, C.Y., Malloy, M.J., Browne, A., Chiu, E., Kwak, HK, Milbury, P., Paul SM, Blumberg, J. Mietus·Snyder, M. (2004).
Flavonoid-rich dark chocolate improves endothelial function and increases plasma epicatechin concentrations in healthy adults. Journal of the American College of Nutrition 23(3), 197-204.
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B., Malloy M.J., Paul, S.M., Kulkarni, K.R., Mietus-Snyder, M.L. (2005).
Effect of docosahexaenoic acid on lipoprotein subclasses in
hyperlipidemic children (The EARLY Study). American Journal of Cardiology.95:869-871.
Bautista, M.C., Engler, M.M. (2005).
The Mediterranean Diet: Is it cardioprotective? Progress in Cardiovascular Nursing, 20:70-76.
Engler, M.M., Engler, M.B.
Omega-3 fatty acids: Role in cardiovascular health and disease. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 2006 Jan/Feb 21(1), 17-24
Engler, M.B., Engler, M.M. The emerging role of flavonoid-rich cocoa and chocolate
in cardiovascular health and disease. Nutrition Reviews2006 Mar. 64(3); 109-18.
