Faculty

Kenza E. Benzeroual

Associate Professor of Pharmacology

Ph.D. Pharmacology, Montreal University, CanadaM.S. Drug Regulatory Affairs, Long Island University, USAM.S. Biochemistry/Industrial Chemistry, Toulouse Polytechnic Institute, France

Kenza.Benzeroual@liu.edu

Description

Dr. Kenza E. Benzeroual is Associate Professor (with tenure) at Long Island University College of Pharmacy. Prior to joining the College of Pharmacy, Dr. Benzeroual worked as Research Scientist and National Research Service Award fellow at Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, investigating morphine brain metabolism and pathways to engineering neuronal networks.

Dr. Benzeroual is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms leading to the initiation and progression of neuronal degeneration in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and cancer in glioblastoma. Her primary focus is the use of genomic and proteomic approaches in biomarkers identification for new drug development and potential therapeutic applications.

Dr. Benzeroual previously served as Graduate Program Director for the pharmacology and toxicology program and has supervised over 30 graduate and pharmacy students on research projects. She has served as a mentor to junior faculty, and chaired several committees.

Her research has led to many peer-reviewed publications and invitations to speak at national and international conferences. Dr. Benzeroual serves as a reviewer and editorial support for several international journals and is an active member of scientific and professional organizations.

Dr Benzeroual has teaching expertise in pharmacology and pharmacogenomics. She also serves as the advisor to the LIU pharmacy student chapter of Industry Pharmacy Organization (IPhO).

Specialties

Pharmacology, Pharmacogenomics, Drug Regulatory Affairs

Publications

• Radhi Yagnik, and Benzeroual KE. Tigecycline attenuates apoptosis and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lipopolysaccharide-induced PC12 cells. Toxicology In Vitro. (2013) 27: 686-693
• Tamhane M, Maniar M, Ren C, Benzeroual KE, Taft DR. Disposition Of ON 01210.Na (Ex-RAD®), a Novel Radioprotectant, in the Isolated Perfused Rat Liver: Probing Metabolic Inhibition to Increase Systemic Exposure. J Pharm Sci. (2013) 102(2): 732-40
• Patel M, Panchal H, Ghribi O, and Benzeroual KE. The Mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of fisetin in the MPTP model of Parkinson’s disease. Journal of Parkinson’s Disease, (2012) 2 (4): 287-302 
• Muchhala SK, and Benzeroual KE. Pentoxifylline suppressed LPS-induced inflammatory and apoptotic signaling in neuronal cells. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology. (2012) 3: 731-739
• Benzeroual KE, Shah B, and Sinde S. Pharmacogenomics: Assessing educational exposure, confidence in knowledge, and training elements of pharmacists. Personalized Medicine. (2012) 9(4): 387-393
• Dholakiya S, and Benzeroual KE. Protective effect of Diosmin on LPS-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells and inhibition of TNF-a expression. Toxicology In Vitro. (2011) 25(5): 1039-44
• Yin H, Lin S, Kong SX, Benzeroual KE, Crawford SY, Hedeker D, Lambert BL, Muramatsu N. The Association between Physical Functioning and Self-rated General Health in Later Life: The Implications of Social Comparison. Applied Research in Quality of Life. (2011) 6(1): 1-19
• Schilit S and Benzeroual K. Silodosin. A new selective alpha_1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clinical Therapeutics. (2009) 31 (11): 2489-2502
• Garland M, Abildskov KM, Taylor S, Benzeroual K, Caspersen C, Arroyo SE, Kiu TW, Reznik B, Weldy P, Daniel SS, and Stark RI. Fetal Morphine metabolism and clearance are constant during late gestation. Drug Metabolism and Disposition. (2006) 34 (4): 636-646
• Haddad PS, Vallerand D, Mathe L, Benzeroual K, and De Werve GV. Synergistic activation of MAPK by insulin and ATP in liver cells: permissive role of calcium. Metabolism. (2003) 52 (5): 590-598
• Benzeroual K, Pandey SK, Srivastava AK, Van de Werve G, and Haddad P. Insulin-induced Ca²⁺ entry into hepatocytes is important for PI3-kinase activation but not for IRb-subunit and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. B.B.A. (2000) 1495: 14-23
  
• Benzeroual K, Van de Werve G, Meloche S, Mathe L, Romanelli A, and Haddad P. Insulin induces calcium influx into isolated rat hepatocyte couplets. Am. J. Physiol. (1997) 272: G1425-G1432
  
  

Lectures and Presentations

• Effects of flavonoids with lipid-modulating properties on ApoE4-inducedAβ production. International Conference on Central Nervous System-Drug Effects and Novel Drugs Development
• CNS – Drug development Conference (September 2012), Pennsylvania, PA
• Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids in neurodegenerative diseases. Conference and Exhibition on Neurology and Therapeutics (May 2012), Las Vegas
• Pharmacogenomics Overview and Application to Patient Care. Continuing professional Education in Pharmacogenomics, Queens, NY, March 25, 2012
• Pharmacogenomics Application to Cancer Therapy. Continuing Professional Education in Pharmacogenomics”, Queens, NY, Oct 17, 2011

Honors/Awards

• AACP Walmart- Mentor/Mentee Award; Travel grant (2012)
• Stephen M. Gross Fund for Pharmacy Policy and Program Development Grant (2010)
• Postdoctoral Research fellowship - National Research Science Award (NRSA), Columbia University, NY, NY (2001-2003)
• Merck-Frosst Canada Award at the departmental student research Gabriel Plaa day for best oral presentation and best achievements (1998).
• PhD scholarship, Medical College, Montreal University, Canada (1995, 1996, 1997)
• Award of excellence based on high quality performance for 3 consecutive years, Medical College, Montreal University, Canada (1995, 1996, and 1997)

Research Synopsis

Neuronal degeneration associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) may benefit from the therapeutic use of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents possessing the ability to foster neuronal survival and enhance regeneration. To test this hypothesis, the effects of several flavonoids have been investigated in in vitro model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Our research demonstrates that the flavonoids tested exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects in the toxic models of AD and PD. While the precise mechanisms of flavonoids on neuronal cells need further investigation, it is likely that the mechanisms identified may be acting in a concerted manner to prevent the initiation and progression of neurodegeneration. The second area of interest is cancer glioblastoma. Despite aggressive treatment including surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the median survival time of 12-15 months after diagnosis has remained unchanged. Thus, new effective strategies for controlling glioblastoma are required. Silibinin, a natural polyphenolic flavonoid, has been proposed to induce differentiation and apoptosis in Glioblastoma cell. Our results showed that silibinin bears an anti-oncogenic property via inhibition of PI3K/Akt and STAT pathways. Further studies are needed to assess the potential therapeutic effect of silibilin against glioblastoma