Paula Witt-Enderby, PhD

Professor of Pharmacology, Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Duquesne University School of Pharmacy
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine

Research Interests

The Witt-Enderby lab covers three main themes: (1) The molecular mechanisms underlying melatonin-mediated actions on osteoblastogenesis, osteoclastogenesis, and bone formation using human and mouse mesenchymal stem cells and rodent models with a focus on MAPK-mediated pathways. (2) Clinical studies assessing the efficacy of melatonin and weight-bearing exercise on markers of bone health, bone density and quality of life in healthy populations and those with osteopenia.  (3) Drug development with a focus on melatonin-based drug conjugates and hormone-based therapies targeted to enhancing the anti-cancer actions of existing drugs while reducing their adverse actions on bone, uterus, and sleep. For more information on past and current clinical trials, please see: Melatonin Osteoporosis Prevention Study, MOPS (NCT01152580); Melatonin-micronutrients Osteopenia Treatment Study, MOTS (NCT01870115); Herbal Teas on Bone Health in an Osteopenic Population, OsTea (NCT03480126); and Melatonin and Osteogenic Loading on Osteopenia, MelaOstrong Study (NCT04233112). 

Technique Expertise or Resources to share

Translational research; clinical trials; radioligand binding assays; western blots of lysates prepared from bone and cells; lncRNA and RNASeq; cell culture of monocultures and co-cultures of MSCs and peripheral blood monocytes and pre-osteoclasts; CRISPR Cas9

Keywords

Melatonin, circadian rhythms, osteopenia, holistic medicine