Margaret Chandler

Assistant Professor

Ph.D., Northeastern Ohio University 1998
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Myocardial energy metabolism under pathophysiological conditions (e.g. Heart Failure, Hypertrophy, Insulin Resistance and Diabetes)

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

My research focuses on the role of myocardial energy metabolism on contractile function in pathophysiological conditions such as heart failure, cardiac hypertrophy, demand-induced ischemia and type II diabetes. There is strong evidence to suggest that abnormalities in energy metabolism contribute to contractile dysfunction and the progression of LV remodeling that are characteristic of the heart failure and the diabetic state. Using in vivo animal models, we study the effects of manipulating myocardial energy metabolism on the progression of these pathophysiological conditions. We have recently focused our investigations on the effects of elevated lipids on myocardial contractile function and remodeling. We know that excess lipid accumulation in non-adipose tissue, in particular cardiac tissue, may play an important role in the pathophysiology of heart failure (HF), cardiac hypertrophy, obesity, insulin resistance and diabetes. In particular we are examining the effects of high saturated fat diets on myocardial remodeling, contractile and mitochondrial dysfunction and tissue injury. In a variety of in vivo models, we are studying the effects of high fat diets using both biochemical and cardiovascular methods. Our studies involve measurements of ventricular function, rates of substrate flux, the activities of myocardial enzymes, the concentration of key regulatory metabolites in the myocardium. and mitochondrial function.

RELATED RESEARCH AREAS

View Margaret Chandler's Publications on PubMed