Faculty
Kenza E. Benzeroual, PhD
Associate Professor of Pharmacology
Kenza.Benzeroual@liu.edu
(718) 488-1253
Education
Ph.D. Pharmacology, Montreal University, Canada
M.S. Drug Regulatory Affairs, Long Island University, USA
M.S. Biochemistry/Industrial Chemistry, Toulouse Polytechnic Institute, France
B.S. Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Paul Sabatier University, France
Short Biography
Dr. Kenza E. Benzeroual is associate professor (with tenure) at Long Island University College of Pharmacy. Prior 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 lab 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. Primary focus is to identify biomarkers for drug development and potential therapeutic applications. Dr. Benzeroual previously served as the graduate program director for the pharmacology and toxicology program and has supervised over 30 graduate and pharmacy students on research projects. Served as a mentor to junior faculty, and chaired several committees. Her research has led to several peer-reviewed publications. She has been invited to speak at several national and international conferences on her research. Dr. Benzeroual is a reviewer for several international journals, and active member in numerous scientific and professional organizations and serves as editorial member. 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).
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.
Selected 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. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23200736
- 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. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23212688
- 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. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23938259
- 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- expression. Toxicology In Vitro (2011) 25(5): 1039-44. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21477647
- 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 alpha1A-adrenergic receptor antagonist for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. Clinical Therapeutics (2009) 31 (11): 2489-2502. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20109995
- 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. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16443669
- 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. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12759889
- 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 IR-subunit and IRS-1 tyrosine phosphorylation. B.B.A. (2000) 1495: 14-23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10634928
- 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. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9227478
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