| The goal of our research program is to understand the neural and neuroendocrine mechanisms by
which blood pressure and body-fluid balance are regulated. We are particularly interested in
those mechanisms that restore blood pressure and volume to appropriate levels when the cardiovascular
system is challenged by conditions such as blood loss. Because anesthesia alters both sympathetic
nervous system and neuroendocrine responses to cardiovascular signals, the majority of our current studies
are performed in conscious, unrestrained rats with chronically indwelling vascular catheters.
Our primary research focus is on neural control of the renin-angiotensin system. Renin is a
proteolytic enzyme which is secreted by the kidney and results in formation of the peptide hormone
angiotensin. Renin secretion increases whenever blood pressure or blood volume decreases below
normal levels. Angiotensin causes blood vessels to constrict, and has multiple additional actions
which serve to elevate arterial blood pressure and defend blood volume. Our research employs physiological,
pharmacological, and neuroanatomical techniques to evaluate the central nervous system and peripheral
autonomic pathways that regulate renin release during cardiovascular challenges such as hemorrhage.
We have recently begun to investigate the effects of the female reproductive cycle in cardiovascular
regulation. The majority of cardiovascular research has been performed in male subjects. However,
recent evidence suggests that estrogen and progesterone may affect multiple facets of cardiovascular
regulation. Our recent studies indicate that the ability to restore blood volume after a hemorrhage is
significantly affected by the female reproductive cycle. This is an ongoing topic of research.
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Blair, M.L., Parman Jaworski, R.L., Want, A., and Piekut,
D.T. (2001) Parabrachial nucelus modulates cardiovascular
responses to blood loss. Am. J. Physiol. 280:R1141-R1147.
Jaworski, R.L., Piekut, D., and Blair, M.L. (2002) Pregnancy
alters lateral parabrachial nucleus but not hypothalamic Fos
expression following hypotensive hemorrhage. Brain Res.
Bull. 57:595-602.
Jaworski, R.L., and Blair, M.L. (2004) Lesions of the dorsal noradrenergic bundle augment the renin response to blood loss but do not alter hypothalamic Fos expression. Brain Res. Bull. 63:451-459.
Radke, K.J., King, K.B., Blair, M.L., Fitzpatrick, P.G., and Eldredge, D.H. (2005) Hormonal responses to the six-minute walk test in women and men with coronary heart disease: a pilot study. Heart Lung 34:126-135.
Blair, M.L, and Mickelsen, D. (2006) Plasma protein and blood volume restitution after hemorrhage in conscious pregnant rats and ovarian steroid-replaced rats. Am. J. Physiol. 290:R425-R434.
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