Department of microbiology and molecular genetics

Faculty profile

• PhD (immunology/medical microbiology), University of Kentucky, 1966
• Postdoctoral fellow: Cornell Medical College, New York
• MD, Loma Linda University, 1980
• Medical residency: Loma Linda University Medical Center
• Current research interests
• Clinical practice
• Recent publications
• Teaching

Current research interests

Immunological and molecular aspects of aging

My associates and I have been involved in anti-aging studies. Using in vitro models, we have shown how the immune system affects the aging process. Currently, we are using PC12 neuronal cell line as a model to study Alzheimer's disease. One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the deposit of §-amyloid in the brain. The cytotoxic action of §-amyloid is considered to be the primary determinant of the observed neurodegeneration. Recent studies suggest that neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease is via apoptosis or programmed cell death. Oxidative stress and damage by free radicals may play an important part in this process. We are now investigating §-amyloid-induced apoptosis and/or necrosis in PC12 neuronal cells.

Immune modulating and antioxidant effects of phytochemicals

Our lab has been involved in studying phytochemicals (plant chemicals) including organosulfur compounds of garlic, Chinese medicinal herbs, and Ginkgo biloba; and more recently, we are studying the water-soluble procyanidins (Pycnogenol) isolated from the bark of the French maritime pine. We and others have demonstrated that these procyanidins have 50-100 times greater antioxidant activity than a-tocopherol (vitamin E, the gold-standard of antioxidant vitamin). Pycnogenol not only scavenges free radicals but also modulates cellular antioxidant systems and the immune functions. Our goal is to find a new antioxidant drug devoid of adverse side effects to prevent or halt the progression of neurodegenerative and immunologic disorders.

Clinical practice

For nearly two decades I have maintained a part-time clinical practice in preventive and lifestyle medicine.

Recent publications

Click on the symbol beside the reference to read the corresponding abstract.

Liu, F.J., Zhang, Y.X. and Lau, B.H.S. 1999. Pycnogenol improves learning impairment and memory deficit in senescence-acelerated mice. J. Anti-Aging Med. In Press.

Bayeta, E. and Lau, B.H.S. 1999. Pycnogenol inhibits generation of inflammatory mediators in macrophages. Nutr. Res. In Press.

Lau, B.H.S. 1999. Suppressed LDL oxidation by garlic. J. Nutr. In Press.

Wei, Z.H., Peng, Q.L., Lau, B.H.S. and Shah, V. 1999. Ginkgo biloba inhibits hydrogen peroxide-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa B in vascular endothelial cells. General Pharmacol. In Press.

Ide, N., Lau, B.H.S., Ryu, K., Matsuura, H. and Itakura, Y. 1999. Antioxidant effects of fructosyl arginine, a Maillard reaction product in aged garlic extract. J. Nutr. Biochem. 10:372-376.

Ide, N. and Lau, B.H.S. 1999. Aged garlic extract attenuates intracellular oxidative stress. Phytomedicine 6:125-131.

Liu, F.J., Zhang, Y.X. and Lau, B.H.S. 1998. Pycnogenol enhances immune and hemopoietic functions in senescence acelerated mice. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 54:1168-1172.

Peng, Q.L., Wei, Z.H., and Lau, B.H.S. 1998. Fructus corni enhances endothelial cell antioxidant defenses. Gen. Pharmacol. 31:221-225.

Lau, B.H.S. 1998. Rational phytotherapy: A physicians' guide to herbal medicine. Ann. Int. Med. 128:880.

Komanapalli, I.R. and Lau, B.H.S. 1998. Inactivation of bacteriophage l, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans by ozone. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 49:766-769.

Wei, Z.H. and Lau, B.H.S. 1998. Garlic inhibits free radical generation and augments antioxidant enzyme activity in vascular endothelial cells. Nutr. Res. 18:61-70.

Lau, B.H.S. 1998. Garlic and You. The Modern Medicine. Apple Publishing Co., Canada.

Wei, Z.H., Peng, Q.L., and Lau, B.H.S. 1997. Pycnogenol enhances endothelial cell antioxidant defenses. Redox Report 3:219-224.

Ide, N., Nelson, A.B. and Lau, B.H.S. 1997. Aged garlic extract and its constituents inhibit Cu2+-induced modification of low density lipoprotein. Planta Medica 63:263-264.

Geng, Z., Rong, Y. and Lau, B.H.S. 1997. S-allyl cysteine inhibits activation of nuclear factor kappa B in human T cells. Free Radical Biol. Med. 23:345-350.

Komanapalli, I.R., Mudd, J. B., and Lau, B.H.S. 1997. Effect of ozone on metabolic activities of Escherichia coli K-12. Toxicology Letters 97:61-66.

Komanapalli, I.R. and Lau, B.H.S. 1996. Ozone-induced damage of Escherichia coli K-12. Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 46:610-614.

Rong, Y., Geng, Z., and Lau, B.H.S. 1996. Ginkgo biloba attenuates oxidative stress in macrophages and endothelial cells. Free Radical Biol. Med. 20:121-127.

Lau, B.H.S. 1995. Phytochemical research at LLU. Alumni Journal Nov.-Dec.:8-9.

Lau, B.H.S. 1995. Health benefit of garlic. Veggie Life.

Lau, B.H.S., Ruckle, H.C., Botolazzo, T., and Lui, P.D. 1994. Chinese medicinal herbs inhibit growth of murine renal cell carcinoma. Cancer Biotherapy 9:153-161.

Park, C.S., Li, L., and Lau, B.H.S. 1994. Thymic peptide modulates glutathione redox cycle and antioxidant enzymes in macrophages. J Leukocyte Biol. 55:496-500.

Lau, B.H.S. 1993. How lifestyle habits affect the immune system. J. Health & Healing 16:2-6.

Lau, B.H.S., Li, L. and Yoon, P. 1993. Thymic peptide protects vascular enothelial cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidant injury. Life Sciences 52:1787-1796.

Teaching

I have taught immunology, general and clinical microbiology to dental, graduate, and medical students for more than two decades and have coordinated medical microbiology for medical students for 18 years. I have received 15 awards for excellent teaching of medical students including five "Teacher of the Year" awards and the Basic Science Educator's Award. This year the Graduate School awarded me the School's Distinguished Service Award culminating over two decades of service.

School of Medicine - Graduate School - Loma Linda University

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