 Cheryl
Heesch, PhD
Research Interests: Neurohumoral
control of the circulation.
Teaching: Pharmacology,
Physiology
Dr. Heesch's research is focused on central
nervous system regulation of blood pressure
and efferent sympathetic nerve activity
in both physiological and pathophysiological
states, such as hypertension. A major emphasis
in the laboratory is examining the role
of neuromodulators such as nitric oxide
and ovarian hormones (and metabolites) on
plasticity of CNS regulation of the cardiovascular
system.
During pregnancy ovarian hormones are elevated
and previous work in the Heesch laboratory
has demonstrated that CNS effects of the
major metabolite of progesterone contribute
to the attenuated sympathoexcitatory responses
in pregnant animals. Understanding the mechanisms
for attenuated sympathoexcitation in normal
pregnancy, will contribute to determining
mechanisms for elevations of arterial blood
pressure in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy,
where sympathoexcitatory responses are exaggerated.
The possibility that a metabolite of progesterone,
3 alpha-OH-dihydroprogesterone, may play
a major role in suppression of sympathoexcitatory
responses is especially intriguing. 3 alpha-OH-dihydroprogesterone
is produced in the brain of both males and
females and is the most potent endogenous
positive modulator of central nervous system
GABAA receptors. Since sympathoinhibition
is produced centrally through activation
of GABA receptors and since this compound
does not produce endocrine effects like
estrogen and progesterone, it could have
important implications for the control of
hypertensive disorders in males as well
as females.
Experimental questions are addressed in
whole animal physiology experiments, as
well as cellular and molecular experiments.
Commonly used techniques include: Measurement
of hemodynamic parameters (ex./ heart rate
& arterial blood pressure); recording
of afferent and efferent nerve activity;
and CNS microinjection of putative transmitters
and modulators. Expression of receptors,
transmitters, and enzymes of interest are
evaluated in micropunches from brain tissue
or in individual cells collected by laser
capture microscopy.
Publications:
Laiprasert, J.L., R.C. Rogers, C.M. Heesch.
Neurosteroid modulation of arterial baroreflex
sensitive neurons in the rostral ventrolateral
medulla of the rat. Amer. J. Physiol., 274:
R903-R911, 1998. [Abstract]
Foley, C.M., J.J. Stanton, E.M. Price,
J.T. Cunningham, E.M. Hasser, and C.M. Heesch.
GABA(A) alpha 1 and alpha 2 receptor subunit
expression in rostral ventrolateral medulla
in nonpregnant and pregnant rats. Brain
Research 975: 196-206, 2003.
[Abstract]
Foley, C.M., P.J. Mueller, E.M. Hasser
and C.M. Heesch. Hindlimb Unloading and
Female Gender Attenuate Baroreflex Mediated
Sympathoexcitation. Amer. J. Physiol. (Regulatory,
Integrative, & Comparative Physiol.),
289: R1440-7, 2005.
[Abstract]
Mueller, P.J., C.M. Foley, C.M. Heesch,
J.T. Cunningham, Z. Hong, K.P. Patel, E.M.
Hasser. Increased nitric oxide synthase
activity and expression in the hypothalamus
of hindlimb unloaded rats. Brain Research,
1115: 65-74, 2006. [Abstract]
Heesch, C.M., J.D. Laiprasert, L. Kvochina.
RVLM glycine receptors mediate GABAA and
GABAB independent sympathoinhibition from
CVLM in rats. Brain Research, 1125: 46-59,
2006. [Abstract]
Kvochina, L, EM Hasser and CM Heesch. Pregnancy
increases baroreflex independent GABAergic
inhibition of the RVLM in rats. Amer. J.
Physiol. (Regulatory, Integrative &
Comparative Physiol.) 293: R2295 –
305, 2007.
[Abstract]
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