Christina M. Pabelick, M.D.

Effects of Anesthetics on Intracellular Calcium Regulation in Smooth Muscle. Intracellular calcium plays a major role in smooth muscle contraction and relaxation. Anesthetic drugs (inhalation and intravenous) used in clinical practice affect intracellular calcium concentration. We investigate the cellular mechanisms by which anesthetics affect intracellular calcium concentration. We also look at the effect of anesthetics on different intracellular compartments (e.g. mitochondria and sarcoplasmic reticulum) that help in calcium regulation. For example, we specifically investigate airway smooth muscle and the effects of anesthetics. Volatile anesthetics reduce intracellular calcium thereby helping airway smooth muscle to relax. This effect may be beneficial in patients with airway diseases such as asthma.

Role of Endothelin in Pulmonary Hypertension. Oxygen therapy in the newborn causes an increase in a compound called endothelin 1. It is known that an increase in endothelin 1 will cause the smooth muscle layer in pulmonary arteries to increase in size. However, there is evidence that in addition to the increase in smooth muscle layer endothelin 1 is dysregulated. We investigate the cellular mechanisms by which endothelin dysregulation affects pulmonary hypertension. We specifically look at the effects of endothelin on intracellular calcium regulation.