Department of Internal Medicine
Endocrine-Metabolism Faculty
Medical School:
Ohio State University
Residency:
Pennsylvania Hospital
Fellowship:
Ohio State University
Special Training:
Staff Fellow, Diabetes Branch,
National Institute of Arthritis
and Metabolic Diseases, NIH
Robert S. Bar, M.D.
Professor Emeritus
Director, Iowa Diabetes-Endocrinology Research Center
Director, VA/JDF Diabetes Research Center
Dr. Bar's research interests focus on the interactions of vascular endothelium with the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGFBPs). Of the six IGFBPs, IGFBP-3 is of particular interest since IGFBP-3 is present in the highest concentration in the circulation, is synthesized and secreted by endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo, specifically adheres to endothelial cells and potentially can be degraded into bioactive fragments at the endothelial cell surface. It has recently been demonstrated that IGFBP-3 can be digested by plasmin thrombin and pregnancy serum into fragments with different properties than IGFBP-3, including potent intrinsic bioactivity. Studies are designed to determine the effects of specific IGFBP-3 fragments on IGF-I function and, in separate studies, assess the regulation of the IGFBP-3 gene in endothelial cells. Four model systems will be utilized, cultured endothelial cells, vascular rings, perfused organ preparations (rat heart and rat kidney) and the intact rat. Therapy with IGF-I and IGF-I/IGFBP complexes are presently being tested in clinical conditions ranging from diabetes mellitus to states of malnutrition. It is hoped that results of these studies will indicate methods to both selectively target and maximize specific IGF-I bioactivities.
Honors, Awards, and Organizations
- Diplomate, American Board of Internal Medicine and Board of Endocrinology and Metabolism
- American Diabetes Association
- American Diabetes Association, Iowa Affiliate, Professional of the Year, 1991
- American Federation for Clinical Research: Midwest Representative to National Council, 1978-81
- American Society for Clinical Investigation
- Association of American Physicians
- Central Society for Clinical Research
- Endocrine Society
- Sigma Xi
- Teacher of Year, Senior Class, 1989, 1992
- Teacher of Year Finalist, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991
- UI College of Medicine Award for Excellence in Teaching, 1990
- University of Iowa Hancher-Finkbine Medallion Nominee, 1992
- Teacher of Year, Senior Class, 1992
- Faculty of the Year Initiate, Alpha Omega Alpha, University of Iowa, 1996
Representative Publications
- Mazerbourg, S., Zapf, J., Bar, R.S., Brigstock, D.R., Lalou, C., Binoux, M., and Monget, P.: Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-4 Proteolytic Degradation in Ovine Preovulatory Follicles: Studies of Underlying Mechanisms. Endocrinology, 140:4175-4184, 1999.
- Oltman, C.L., Kane, N.L., Gutterman, D.D., Bar, R.S., and Dellsperger, K.C.: Mechanism of Coronary Vasodilation to Insulin and Insulin-like Growth Factor - 1 is Dependent on Vessel Size. American Journal of Physiology, 279:E176-E181, 2000.
- Booth, B.A., Boes, M., Dake, B.L., Caldwell, E.E.O., Weiler, J.M., and Bar, R.S.: Effect of IGFBP-derived Peptides on Incorporation of 35 SO 4 into Proteoglycans. Growth Hormone and IGF Research, 10:224-229, 2000.
Links of Interest