Cardiovascular Research Laboratory

Research

The primary line of research in our lab involves investigating the effect of exercise training and dietary modifications on the development and/or progression of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the metabolic syndrome. In particular, my current research is focused on studying the underlying molecular and cellular processes responsible for the development of vascular calcification. Calcium deposits are a common component of atherosclerotic lesions, but elevated levels are associated with a variety of clinical end points, including myocardial infarction (MI) and CVD mortality. Vascular calcification is prevalent in the elderly, but elevated levels are also common in diabetics and renal disease patients by 30-40 years of age. Recent research suggests that vascular calcification is an active, regulated process with many properties similar to bone formation. This process appears to be regulated in part by proteins secreted from vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) that either promote or inhibit calcium and phosphate precipitation in the arterial wall. The expression of these proteins by VSMC may be mediated in part by traditional CVD risk factors, such as abnormal lipid levels and inflammatory variables.

Current studies we are conducting in our lab related to vascular and bone disorders in renal disease include the following: 1) we are analyzing the efficacy of endurance exercise training and dietary supplementation with grapeseed polyphenols, resveratrol, and soy protein on vascular calcification, atherosclerosis, and bone density in mouse models of both renal disease and diabetes. 2) we are conducting a pilot clinical trial in patients with chronic kidney disease to assess the efficacy of intra-dialytic exercise training (cycling during hemodialysis sessions) on arterial structure and cardiac function using ultrasound imaging analysis.

Another focus in our lab is investigating the effect of lifestyle modifications on disorders associated with abnormal cholesterol metabolism, including gallstone disease and the metabolic syndrome. We have an ongoing study in mice investigating the effects of exercise training on lipid metabolism and gallstone development. In humans, we are assessing the impact of endurance exercise training and changes in dietary macronutrient intake on markers of cholesterol synthesis and absorption, which have been shown in previous studies to be markers of metabolic syndrome.