Cardiac Physiology Laboratory

Carlson 106 and 1B03

phone: 303-492-2745/5712

Research Interests

A focus of the Lab is to identify cellular mechanisms that underlie the physiological (exercise training) and pathological (heart failure, aging) alterations in cardiac contractile function. We are currently conducting work to understand the cellular basis for exercise-induced protection of the heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury, and on the influences of diet and exercise on cardiac energy metabolism, heart mitochondrial lipid composition, and the development of heart failure in the SHHF rat model.

Personnel

Laboratory Director: Russell L. Moore, Ph.D.

Faculty: Sylvia McCune, Ph.D.

Professional Research Associates: Adam Chicco, Ph.D., Genevieve Sparagna, Ph.D.

Head Research Assistant: Josh Lynch, B.A.

Graduate Students: Andrew Edwards, M.S.

Undergraduate Research Assistants: Derek Zachman, Meredith Rees, David Bolden, Rachel Gioscia

Collaborators: Leslie Leinwand, Ph.D., MCD Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder; Peter Watson, Ph.D., Endocrinology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver; Robert Murphy, Ph.D., Pharmacology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver; Joseph Y. Cheung, M.D., Ph.D., Thomas Jefferson College of Medicine, Philadelphia; Grant Hatch, Ph.D., University of Sasketchewan, Manitoba, Canada.

(L to R ) FRONT: Derek Zachman, Ilina Datkhaeva, Rachel Gioscia, Kat Stoneham, Genevieve Sparagna, Russell Moore, Josh Lynch. BACK: David Bolden, Adam Chicco, Sylvia McCune, Andy Edwards.

Current Research Projects

Examination of sarcolemmal ATP-sensitive K⁺ current characteristics and their relation to training-induced and sex-dependent resistance of the heart to ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Characterization of the influence of nutrition and exercise on the development of heart failure in the SHHF rat model.
Determination of the potential role of altered cardiolipin biosynthesis on mitochondrial function in the SHHF rat model of heart failure.

Opportunities for Undergraduates

Opportunities for undergraduates desiring a laboratory research experience are provided on a limited and competitive basis. Undergraduate students who want to participate in our Laboratory must meet the following requirements:

Minimum commitment - at least two full semesters. Most undergraduates in the Lab begin in the sophmore or junior year.
Minimum hours - 6 hours per week in blocks of at least 2 hours.
Desired background - students are typically IPHY, biochemistry, or MCDB majors, although students with any natural science or engineering backgrounds will be considered.
Other - must be willing to work with rodents and occasionally work on weekends. Must attend weekly lab meetings (schedule permitting) and agree to complete required certifications.

For more information, contact Prof. Russ Moore (russell.moore@colorado.edu)

Recent Publications

Chicco AC, Johnson MS, Armstrong CJ, Lynch JM, Gardner RT, Fasen GS, Gillenwater CP, Moore RL. Sex-specific and exercise-acquired cardioprotection are abolished by sarcolemmal K_ATP channel blockade in the rat heart. American Journal of Physiology 292: H2432-H2437, 2007.

Chicco AC, Sparagna GC. Role of cardiolipin alterations in mitochondrial dysfunction and disease. American Journal of Physiology 292: C33-C44, 2007.

Johnson MA, Moore RL, Brown DA. Sex-differences in myocardial infarct size are abolished by sarcolemmal K_ATP channel blockade in rat. American Journal of Physiology 290: J2644-H2647, 2006.

Moore RL. Myocardial K_ATP channels are critical to Ca²⁺ homeostasis in the metabolically stressed heart in vivo. American Journal of Physiology 292: J1692-H1692, 2007.

Nadeau K, Ehlers L, Aguirre L, Moore RL, Jew KN, Ortmeyer H, Hansen B, Reusch J, Draznin B. Exercise training and calorie restriction increase SREBP-1 expression and intramuscular triglyceride in skeletal muscle. American Journal of Physiology 291: E90-E98, 2006.

Spangenburg EE, Brown DA, Johnson MS, Moore RL. Exercise increases SOCS-3 expression in rat skeletal muscle: potential relationship to IL-6 expression. Journal of Physiology 572: 839-848, 2006.

Sparagna GC, Chicco AJ, Murphy RC, Bristow MR, Johnson CA, Rees ML, Maxey ML, McCune SA , Moore RL. Loss of cardiac tetralinoleoyl cardiolipin in human and experimental heart failure. Journal of Lipid Research 48: 1559-1570, 2007.

Watson PA, Reusch JE-B, McCune SA, Leinwand LA, Luckey SW, Konhilas JJP, Brown DA, Chicco AJ, Sparagna GC, Long CS, Moore RL. Restoration of CREB function is linked to completion and stabilization of adaptive cardiac hypertrophy in response to exercise. American Journal of Physiology 293: H246-H259, 2007.

Funding

2004-2008, R01 NIH HL072790-01, "Exercise training and myocardial K_ATP channel function"; R. L. Moore, PI.

2007-2010, American Heart Association, "Abnnormal cardiolipin biosynthesis contributes to the development of heart failure"; R. L. Moore, PI.

2007-2009, R21 NIH, "Influence of diet on mitochondria and cardiolipin during heart failure in SHHF rats"; G. C. Sparagna, PI.

2007-2009, Barth Syndrome Foundation, "Regulation of cardiolipin remodeling in the heart studied using a rat model of heart failure"; G. C. Sparagna, PI.

2006-2008, American Heart Association, Postdoctoral fellowship, "Abberant cardiolipin remodeling in heart failure: mechanisms, modulation, and pathophysiological significance"; A. C. Chicco, Recipient.

2007-2009, Center for Human Nutrition, UCHSC, through a Pilot Project grant from NIH/NIDDK, "The mechanism of prevention of heart failure with linoleic acid supplementation"; G. C. Sparagna, PI.

2007-2009, American Heart Association, Predoctoral fellowship, "Do differences in trafficking of the sarcolemmal KATP channel explain sex-specific susceptibility to ischemic injury"; A. G. Edwards, Recipient.

2005-2007, R03 NIH, "Exercise increases longevity in aged SHHF rats"; S. A. McCune, PI.