Effects of hypoxia and reactive oxygen species on neuronal excitability of intrinsic cardiac ganglia [ 2002 - 2002 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof David Adams (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Ronald Hogg

Brief description Neural control of the heart is mediated by intrinsic cardiac neurones which respond to chemical substances such as neurotransmitters released from nerve fibres innervating the heart and vasoactive substances released into the coronary ciruculation. Prolonged periods of myocardial ischaemia (hypoxia) and post ischaemic reperfusion (oxygen-derived free radicals) influence the electrical activity of the intrinsic cardiac nervous system. The involvement of membrane electrical phenomena in general, and ion-selective pores (ion channels) in particular, and the action of hypoxia and oxygen-derived free readicals on their function will be studied in isolated neurones dissociated from neonatal and adult rat intrinsic cardiac ganglia. The characterization of ion channels modulated by hypoxia and reactive oxygen species will be monitored using electrical and fluorescence techniques. The opening of ion channels in the cell membrane by changes in either voltage or the intracellular calcium ion concentration leads to an electrical response. The goal of the research is to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the effects of ischaemia and ischaemia-reperfusion on neuronal excitability in mammalian cardiac ganglia, thus regulation of the heart rate. Development of therapeutic strategies to prevent ischaemia and reperfusion injuries in coronary heart disease and improvement of cardiac protection during surgery are potential outcomes of this research.

Funding Amount $AUD 70,000.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant