Shelly Lu MD

Director, Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Vice Chair of Basic and Translational Research; Professor of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center; Professor of Medicine Step 7, UCLA; Adjunct Professor of Medicine, Keck School of Medicine USC

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1520 San Pablo StSte 1000Los Angeles, CA 90033
Phone+1 323-442-5100

Summary

Dr. Shelly Lu is a gastroenterologist based in Los Angeles, CA, specializing in biliary tract disease and gastroenterology. She completed her fellowship in gastroenterology at UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical Center and residency in internal medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Lu serves as a professor at David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and has held multiple roles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, including Director of the Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. Additionally, she is a professor at the Keck School of Medicine of USC. Her research includes studies on liver health, cancer pathogenesis, and metabolic diseases, with numerous publications in prominent journals. Dr. Lu has been honored with several awards, such as the PRISM Award from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the Mayo Soley Award for Lifetime Achievement. Dr. Lu was inducted into honorary societies for physician scientists such as the American Society for Clinical Investigation and the Association of American Physicians.

Education & Training

UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine/UCLA Medical CenterFellowship, Gastroenterology, 1985 - 1988
Cedars-Sinai Medical CenterResidency, Internal Medicine, 1982 - 1985
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLAClass of 1982
University of California, Los AngelesBA, Biology, Highest Honors in Biology and Summa Cum Laude, 1974 - 1978

Certifications & Licensure

CA State Medical License 1983 - 2025
American Board of Internal Medicine Internal Medicine
American Board of Internal Medicine Gastroenterology

Awards, Honors, & Recognition

Prize for Research in Scientific Medicine (PRISM) Award Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 2021
Mayo Soley Award for Lifetime Achievement in Science and Mentoring Western Society of Clinical Investigation, 2012
Outstanding Women in Science American Gastroenterological Association, 2008
Elected Member Association of American Physicians, 2006
Graduated with Summa Cum Laude UCLA, 1978
Best Attending in Gastroenterology LAC-USC GI fellowship training program, 2014
Western Society of Clinical Investigation Outstanding Investigator Award 2005
American Society for Clinical Investigation (Young Turk) 2001
Best Attending of the Firm, Internal Medicine Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2000
Alpha Lambda Delta University of California, 1978
Phi Beta Kappa University of California, 1978
Dean's Honors List every quarter University of California, 1974
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Publications & Presentations

PubMed

Fructose-induced progression of steatohepatitis involves disrupting aldolase B-AMPK signaling in methionine adenosyltransferase 1A deficient mice.
Lucía Barbier-Torres, María Luque-Urbano, Jyoti Chhimwal, Aaron E Robinson, David Fernández-Ramos
Metabolism. 2025-04-01
Metastatic tumor growth in steatotic liver is promoted by HAS2-mediated fibrotic tumor microenvironment.
Yoon Mee Yang, Jieun Kim, Zhijun Wang, Jina Kim, So Yeon Kim
The Journal of Clinical Investigation. 2025-02-13
S-Adenosylmethionine: A Multifaceted Regulator in Cancer Pathogenesis and Therapy.
David Fernández-Ramos, Fernando Lopitz-Otsoa, Shelly C Lu, José M Mato
Cancers. 2025-02-05

Journal Articles

NASH Leading Cause of Liver Transplant in Women: Updated Analysis of Indications for Liver Transplant and Ethnic and Gender Variances
Tsuyoshi Todo, Walid S Ayoub, Naim Alkhouri, Nicholas N Nissen, Vinay Sundaram, Shelly C Lu, Mazen Noureddin, Aarshi Vipani, Tram Tran, Andrew S Klein, Nature
Sex and racial/ethnic differences in the association of obesity with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma
Setiawan VW, Lim U, Lipworth L, Lu SC, Shepherd J, Ernst T, Henderson BE, Le Marchand L, Clin Gastroenterology Hepatol, 1/1/2016
Methionine and S-adenosylmethionine levels are critical regulators of PP2A activity modulating lipophagy during steatosis
Zubiete-Franco I, García-Rodríguez JL, Martínez-Uña M, Matínez-Lopez N, Woodhoo A, Gutiérrez-De JV, Beraza N, Lage-Medina S, Andrade F, Fernandez ML, Aldámiz-Echevarrí..., J Hepatol, 1/1/2016
Crystallography captures catalytic steps in human methionine adenosyltransferase enzymes
Murray B, Antonyuk SV, Marina A, Lu SC, Mato JM, Hasnain S, Rojas AL, PNAS, 1/1/2016
Yang HP, Liu T, Wang J, Li TWH, Fan W, Peng H, Krishnan A, Gores GJ, Mato JM, and Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2016
Prohibitin 1 regulates the H19-Igf2 axis and proliferation in hepatocytes
Ramani K, Mavila N, Ko KS, Mato JM, Lu SC, J. Biol. Chem., 1/1/2016
Liver receptor homolog 1 and transmethylation fluxes in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis
Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2016
S-adenosylmethionine and methylthioadenosine inhibit beta catenin signaling by multiple mechanisms in liver and colon cancer
Li TWH, Peng H, Yang HP, Kuriniawidjaja S, Panthaki P, Zheng Y, Mato JM, and Lu SC, Mol. Pharmacol., 1/1/2015
Activation of a novel c-Myc-miR27-Prohibitin 1 circuitry in cholestatic liver injury inhibits GSH synthesis in mice
Yang HP, Li TWH, Zhou Y, Peng H, Liu T, Zandi E, Martínez-Chantar ML, Mato JM, and Lu SC, Antioxidant & Redox Signaling, 1/1/2015
Coffee intake, chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma: the Multiethnic Cohort
Setiawan VW, Wilkens LR, Lu SC, Hernandez BY, Le Marchand L, Henderson BE, Gastroenterology, 1/1/2015
TRAIL-producing NK cells contribute to fibrogenesis in the context of GNMT deficiency
Fernández-Álvarez S, Gutiérrez-de Juan V, Zubiete-Franco I, Lahoz A, Parés A, Luka Z, Wagner C, Lu SC, Mato JM, Martínez-Chantar ML, and Beraza N, Lab Invest., 1/1/2015
S-adenosylmethionine regulates very-low density lipoprotein assembly, features and plasma metabolism in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Martínez-Uña M, Varela M, Mestre D, Fernández-Ares L, Fresnedo O, Fernandez-Ramos D, Gutiérrez-de Juan V, Martin-Guerrero I, García-Orad A, Luka Z, Wagner C, Lu SC, Ga..., J Hepatol., 1/1/2015
HDAC4 promotes cholestatic liver injury in the absence of prohibitin-1
Barbier-Torres L, Beraza N, Fernández-Tussy P, Lopitz-Otsoa F, Fernández-Ramos D, Zubiete-Franco I, Varela-Rey M, Delgado TC, Gutiérrez V, Anguita J, Pares A, Banales ..., Hepatology, 1/1/2015
Methionine adenosyltransferase a2 positively regulates B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 expression in a sumoylation-dependent manner
Tomasi ML, Ryoo M, Tomasi I, Giordano P, Mato JM, and Lu SC, Oncotarget, 1/1/2015
Nutritional status and infection risk in cirrhosis: examining both ends of the spectrum
Sundaram V, Kaung A, Rajaram A, Lu SC, Tran TT, Klein AS, Jalan R, Charlton MR, Jeon CY, Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 1/1/2015
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: update on pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and the role of S-adenosylmethionine
Noureddin M, Mato JM, and Lu SC, Exp. Biol Med, 1/1/2015
Molecular mechanisms of lipopolysaccharide-mediated inhibition of glutathione synthesis in mice
Tomasi ML, Ryoo M, Yang HP, Iglesia Ara A, Ko K, and Lu SC, Free Radical Biology & Medicine, 1/1/2014
Quantitative proteomic analysis of hepatocyte-secreted extracellular vesicles reveal candidate markers for liver toxicity
Rodríguez-Suárez E, González E, Hughes C, Conde-Vancells J, Rudella A, Royo F, Palomo L, Elortza F, Lu SC, Mato JM, Vissers JPC, and Falcón-Pérez JM, J. Proteomics, 1/1/2014
Diabetes and racial/ethnic differences in hepatocellular carcinoma risk: the multiethnic cohort
Setiawan VW, Hernandez B, Lu SC, Stram DO, Wilkens LR, Marchand LL, Henderson BE, J Nat Cancer Inst., 1/1/2014
Systems biology for hepatologists
Mato JM, Martínez-Chantar ML, and Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2014
MiRNAs regulate methionine adenosyltransferase 1A expression in hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang HP, Cho ME, Li TWH, Peng H, Ko KS, Mato JM, and Lu SC, J. Clin. Invest., 1/1/2013
MAT2B-GIT1 interplay activates MEK1/ERK 1 and 2 to induce growth in human liver and colon cancer
Peng H, Dara L, Li TWH, Zheng Y, Yang HP, Tomasi ML, Tomasi I, Giordano P, Mato JM, and Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2013
Methionine Adenosyltransferase 2B, HuR and Sirtuin 1 Crosstalk Impacts on Resveratrol’s Effect on Apoptosis and Growth in Liver Cancer Cells
Yang HP, Zheng Y, Li TWH, Peng H, Ramos DF, Martínez-Chantar ML, Rojas AL, Mato JM, and Lu SC, J. Biol. Chem., 1/1/2013
Excess S-adenosylmethionine reroutes phosphatidylethanolamine towards phosphatidylcholine and triglyceride synthesis
Martínez-Uña M, Varela-Rey M, Cano A, Fernández-Ares L, Beraza N, Aurrekoetxea I, Martínez-Arranz I, García-Rodríguez JL, Buqué X, Mestre D, Luka Z, Wagner C, Alonso C..., Hepatology, 1/1/2013
S-adenosylmethionine metabolism and liver disease
Mato JM, Martínez-Chantar ML, and Lu SC, Annals Hepatology, 1/1/2013
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Books/Book Chapters

Liver Metabolism and Fatty Liver Disease
Chapter: Chapter 6: Oxidative Stress and Disease: Methionine adenosyltransferase genes in liver health and disease
Ramani K, Lu SCEditors: Oren Tirosh.Taylor & Francis Group / CRC Press2014
Amino Acids in Human Nutrition and Health
Chapter: Methionine metabolism
Mato JM, Martínez-Chantar ML, Lu SCEditors: D’Mello F.CABI, Oxfordshire, UK2011
Atlas of Gastroenterology
Chapter: Cystic diseases of the liver and biliary tree
Chang AJ, Suh JW, Lu SCEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 4th,2009
Textbook of Gastroenterology
Chapter: Cystic diseases of the liver and biliary tree
Suh JW, Chang AJ, Lu SCEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 5th,2009
Alcohol, Tobacco and Cancer
Chapter: Role of S-adenosyl-L-methionine in alcohol-associated liver cancer
Lu SC, Mato JMEditors: Cho CH, Purohit V.Karger AG, Basel, SwitzerlandEdition 1st,2006
Liver Diseases: Biochemical Mechanisms and New Therapeutic Insights
Chapter: Methionine adenosyltransferase and S-adenosylmethionine in liver health and disease
Lu SC, Mato JMEditors: Shakir A, Friedman SL, Mann D.M/s Sc Pub, Inc., Chicago, ILEdition 1st,2006
Nutrient-Gene Interactions in Cancer
Chapter: S-adenosylmethionine and methionine adenosyltransferase genes
Mato JM, Martínez-Chantar ML, Lu SCEditors: Choi SW, Friso S.CRC Press LLC, Boca Raton, FLEdition 1st,2006
Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements
Chapter: S-adenosylmethionine
Mato JM, Lu SCEditors: Coates PM, Blackman MR, Levine M, Moss J, White JD.Marcel Dekker, New York, NYEdition 1st,2005
Textbook of Gastroenterology
Chapter: Cystic diseases of the biliary tree
Lu SC, Debian KEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 4th,2003
Atlas of Gastroenterology
Chapter: Cystic diseases of the biliary tree
Lu SC, Debian KEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 3rrd,2003
FALK Symposium 113: Cytokines and Cell Homeostasis in the Gastrointestinal Tract
Chapter: Glutathione homeostasis in liver regeneration
Lu SCEditors: Andus T, Rogler G, Schlottmann K, Frick E, Adler G, Zeitz M, Schmiegel W, Schölmerich J.Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, NetherlandsEdition 4th,2000
Kelley's Textbook of Internal Medicine
Chapter: Drug-induced hepatic injury
Lu SC, Maldonado LEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 3rd,1996
Biothiols
Chapter: Sinusoidal efflux of hepatic GSH: significance, physiology and regulation
Kaplowitz N, Oohktens M, Lu SCEditors: Packer L, Cadenas E.Kluwer Academic, Lancaster, United KingdomEdition 2nd,1995
Hepatic anion transport and bile secretion: physiology and pathophysiology
Chapter: The regulation of hepatic glutathione
Fernandez-Checa J, Lu SC, Ookhtens M, DeLeve L, Runnegar M, Yoshida H, Saiki H, Kannan R, Garcia-Ruiz C, Kuhlenkamp JF, Kaplowitz NEditors: Tavoloni N, Berk PD.Raven Press, New York, NYEdition 2nd,1993
Methionine Metabolism: Molecular Mechanism and Clinical Implications
Chapter: Regulation of hepatic GSH synthesis and efflux
Kaplowitz N, Lu SC, Ookhtens M, Fernandez-Checa J, Garcia-Ruiz C, Saiki HEditors: Mato J, et al.Edition 3rd,1992
Liver and Biliary Diseases
Chapter: Cystic diseases and strictures
Lu SCEditors: Kaplowitz N.Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MAEdition 9th,1992
Atlas of Gastroenterology
Chapter: Diseases of the biliary tract
Lu SC, Kaplowitz N, Hamlin AEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 1st,1992
Textbook of Gastroenterology
Chapter: Diseases of the biliary tract
Lu SC, Kaplowitz NEditors: Yamada T.JB Lippincott, Philadelphia, PAEdition 1st,1991
Gastrointestinal Emergencies
Chapter: Acetaminophen toxicity
Lu SC, Kaplowitz NEditors: Taylor MB, Gollan JL, Peppercorn MA, Steer ML, Wolfe MM.Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, MAEdition 1st,1991
Current Hepatology
Chapter: Drug-induced hepatotoxicity
Lu SC, Kaplowitz NEditors: Gitnick G.Year Book Medical, Chicago, ILEdition 9th,1989
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Abstracts/Posters

Metabolomic classification of murine and human nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Alonso C, Lavin JL, Iruarrizaga-Lejarreta M, Fernández-Ramos D, van-Liempd S, delaCruz-Villar L, Navasa N, Martínez-Arranz I, Aurrekoetxea I, Buqué X, Varela M, Falcón..., Hepatology, 1/1/2016
Prohibitin 1 represses c-Myc-driven E-box gene expression and acts as a tumor suppressor in liver cancers in mice and humans
Fan W, Yang HP, Wang J, Li TWH, Alagappan A, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2016
Prohibitin-1 regulates cellular proliferation by controlling the H19-Igf2 axis in the liver
Ramani K, Mavila N, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2016
Subtyping nonalcoholic steatohepatitis for the development of effective treatments
Martinez-Arranz I, Alonso C, Fernandez D, Mayo R, Varela M, Noureddin M, Martinez-Chantar ML, Lu SC, Castro A, Mato JM, Hepatology, 1/1/2015
Yang HP, Liu T, Wang J, Li TWH, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2015
S-Adenosylmethionine treatment corrects deregulated lipid metabolic pathways and prevents progression of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in methionine adenosyltransferas...
Fernandez D, Alonso C, van Liempd S, Varela M, Navasa N, Martinez-Arranz I, Aspichueta P, Aransay AM, Anguita J, Falcon-Perez JM, Martinez-Chantar ML, Lu SC, Mato JM, Hepatology, 1/1/2015
Molecular mechanisms of lipopolysaccharide-mediated inhibition of glutathione synthesis in mice
Tomasi ML, Ryoo M, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2013
Role of sumoylation in alcoholic liver disease
Tomasi ML, Ryoo M, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2013
Polyamine and methionine adenosyltransferase 2A crosstalk in human colon cancer
Tomasi ML, Ryoo M, Skay A, Tomasi I, Giordano P, Mato JM, Lu SC, Gastroenterology, 1/1/2013
Dysregulation of phospho-receptor tyrosine kinase protein levels and microRNAs in methionine adenosyltransferase 1A knockout mice
Tomasi ML, Ryoo M, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2012
Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9-methionine adenosyltransferase 2A-Bcl2 axis regulates apoptosis in liver and colon cancer cells
Tomasi ML, Skay A, Tomasi I, Giordano P, Lu SC, Gastroenterology, 1/1/2012
Involvement of miRNAs in the regulation of methionine adenosyltransferase 1A expression and tumorigencity in hepatocellular carcinoma
Yang H, Cho M, Ko K, Li T, Peng H, Mato JM, Lu SC, Gastroenterology, 1/1/2012
Methionine Adenosyltransferase 2B interacts with G-protein-coupled receptor kinase-interacting protein 1 to activate ERK and induce growth
Peng H, Dara L, Li TW, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2012
Sumoylation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and MafG protein is essential for glutamate-cysteine ligase catalystic subunit expression in hepatic stellat...
Ramani K, Tomasi ML, Yang H, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2012
The flow from phosphatidylethanolamine to phos-phatidylcholine regulates hepatic lipid homeostasis
Martínez-Uña M, Varela-Rey M, Fernandez-Ares L, Beraza N, Buqué X, Aurrekoetxea I, Lu SC, Martinez-Chantar ML, Aspichueta P, Mato JM, Hepatology, 1/1/2012
S-Adenosylmethionine regulates ubiquitin conjugating enzyme 9 expression and sumoylation:Molecular mechanism and implication in hepatocarcinogenesis
Tomasi ML, Ramani K, Li TW, Xu J, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2011
Obesity Dependent Metabolic signatures associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression
Barr J, Caballeria J, Martinez Arranz, I, Dominguez-Diez A, Alonso C, Muntane J, Perez-Cormenzana M, Garcia-Monzon C, Mayo R, Martin-Duce, A, Romero-Gomez M, Lo locono..., Hepatology, 1/1/2011
Expression of glutathione synthetic enzymes during hepatic stellate cell activation and differentiation
Ramani K, Yang H, Tomasi ML, Ko K, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2010
S-adenosylmethionine regulates ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 9 protein level and sumoylation
Tomasi ML, Ramani K, Li TW, Xu J, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2010
Serum metabolic profiling reveals novel biomarkers associated with liver injury
Barr J, Alonso C. Suero R, Castro A, Gonzalez E, Conde-Vancells J, Lu SC, Mato JM, Falcon-Perez JM, Hepatology, 1/1/2009
Forced expression of methionine adenosyltransferase 1A (MAT1A) in human hepatoma cells suppresses in vivo tumorigenicity by reducing proliferation and angiogenesis whi...
Li J, Ramani K, Sun Z, Zee C, Grant EG, Yang H, Xia M, Oh P, Ko K, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2009
Proliferative role of LKB1 in the development of hepatocellular varcinoma associated to nonalcohlic steatohepatitis
Martinez N, Varela-Rey M, Fernandez D, Vasquez M, Embade N, Woodhoo A, Espinosa-Hevia L, Parada LA, Rodriguez MS, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2009
S-Adenosylmethionine stablizes dual-specificity MAPK phosphatase protein (DUSP1) by inhibiting protesomal activity: Implication in the pathogenesis and chemoprevention...
Tomasi ML, Ramani K, Iglesias-Ara A, Li TWH, Bardag-Gorce F, Feo F, Pascale RM, Mato JM, Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2009
Evidence for an LKB1/AMPK/eNOS Cascade Regulated by HGF, S-Adenosylmethionine and NO in Hepatocyte Proliferation
Vázquez M, Ariz U, Varela-Rey M, Embade N, Martínez N, Fernández D, Gómez L, Lamas S, Lu SC, Martínez-Chantar ML, and Mato JM, Hepatology, 1/1/2008
Methionine adenosyltransferase genes as therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis
Ramani K, Yang HP, Kuhlenkamp JF, Tomasi ML, Tsukamoto H and Lu SC, Hepatology, 1/1/2008
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Press Mentions

Cedars-Sinai Experts Share Advances in Gastroenterology Care at ACG 2024October 25th, 2024
How Gravity May Cause Irritable Bowel SyndromeDecember 1st, 2022
Tipsheet: Cedars-Sinai Experts Share Research, Healthcare Innovations at Digestive Disease Week 2022May 18th, 2022
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Grant Support

S-Adenosylmethionine in protein posttranslational modifications and HCC treatmentNIH2015–2019
Role of SAMe in pathogenesis and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver diseaseNIH2014–2019
Prohibitin 1 in Liver Injury and CancerNIH2014–2018
Dysregulation of GSH Synthesis During Liver Injury and FibrosisNIH2012–2018
Regulation and functions of methionine adenosyltransferase genes in liverNIH2011–2017
Role Of MAT And SAME In Colon Cancer Pathogenesis And TreatmentNational Center For Complementary &Alternative Medicine2008–2011
Role Of SAME In Liver Function And InjuryNational Center For Complementary &Alternative Medicine2002–2011
Regulation Of Hepatic Glutathione SynthesisNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases2010
Regulation Of Methionine Adenosyltransferase In LiverNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases2001–2010
Core-- Cell CultureNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases2005–2009
Regulation Of Hepatic Glutathione SynthesisNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases1997–2008
MAT1A NULL Mouse: Model For Alcoholic Tissue InjuryNational Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism2003–2007
Altered Methionine Metabolism In Alcoholic Liver InjuryNational Institute On Alcohol Abuse And Alcoholism2001–2005
Core--Cell CultureNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases2000–2002
Regulation Of S-Adenosylmethionine Synthetase In LiverNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases1997–2000
Regulation Of Hepatic Glutahione SynthesisNational Institute Of Diabetes And Digestive And Kidney Diseases1992–1996
Regulation Of Hepatic Glutathione TurnoverNational Center For Research Resources1990–1991