Regulation of vascular responsiveness to changes in metabolic demand

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Objectives of my research program***The overall goal of my research program is to better understand how oxygen (O2) is transported and optimally distributed to the active tissues (skeletal muscles) to meet changes in O2 demand (i.e., moving from rest to higher intensities of exercise). ******My scientific approach***I use exercise interventions to determine how effectively the vessels transporting O2 respond. Additionally, I study how aging and fitness status affect this transport of O2. For example, it is known that aging has negative effects on the O2 transport system (less responsive vessels). However, research has shown that highly trained people (even seniors) do not show a pronounced deterioration. Thus, I am interested in understanding whether the processes that affect these diminished responses are related to aging per se or to the lack of exercise that compromises the function of the vessels. My experimental approach includes non-invasive and minimally invasive studies using a human model.******In this model, I use a number of non-invasive methodologies to examine O2 transport (blood flow) to the active muscles and vascular responsiveness (how the vessels react to distribute O2 to certain areas). By using innovative techniques that include measures of O2 consumption and O2 extraction in the muscles, as well as O2 delivery to the muscles, I obtain important information on how O2 is sent to the active parts of the body and how this response is affected by aging and fitness level, so that the processes that affect O2 delivery to the active tissues can be better understood. Additionally, the use of more invasive methodologies (i.e., muscle biopsies) allows me to examine changes at the cellular, molecular, and morphological level that have an impact on vascular control and O2 provision and distribution.******Why is this important?***My work provides new information (using novel methodologies and data analysis approaches) that can help us better understand how O2 is delivered to the tissues that need it, and what processes are involved in this adjustment. Combining the use of aging and fitness status models is important as these two factors are known to affect how the vessels respond and thus, they can provide us with more ways of learning about the factors that determine how the vessels make adjustments to deliver O2 to the right places. Increasing our knowledge in this area is very important to be able to provide adequate information on how the vessels function.