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FRISC: The Faculty Research Interests Science Comparator |
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Professor of Internal Medicine and Physiology
Integrative
Biology
Office: 214-648-3425
FAX: 214-648-3566
Email: blomqvist@swmed.edu
The Space Medicine Laboratory at UT Southwestern has for many years been
conducting research projects examining the physiological mechanisms involved in human
cardiovascular adaptation to the microgravity of space and readaptation to earth
conditions. Approaches include a combination of space flight experiments and ground-based
studies. Recently completed flight projects have demonstrated that microgravity
drastically alters the operating conditions of the cardiovascular system. However, the
capacity to perform maximal exercise and maximal oxygen uptake are maintained in space,
indicating that major regulatory mechanisms and cardiac pump capacity remain intact under
conditions that prevail on orbit. On the other hand, return to earth uncovers major
functional cardiovascular limitations, manifested as orthostatic hypotension and inability
to maintain adequate blood flow to the brain.
Current space projects, assigned to a US Spacelab flight and to a series
of MIR flights, examine the effect of microgravity on neurohumoral cardiovascular control
mechanisms, particularly adrenergic control of vascular resistance and arterial blood
pressure. A set of simple physiological stimuli has been defined (isometric exercise, a
cold pressor test, lower body negative pressure, and controlled respiration), each
producing a predictable response but activating different afferent and efferent pathways.
Comparing individual responses before, during, and after space flight will enable us to
begin defining specific sites of microgravity-induced regulatory defects. Direct recording
of sympathetic nerve traffic and measurement of norepinephrine spillover rates will also
provide important information.
Selected Publications:
Watenpaugh DE, Vissing SF, Lane LD, Buckey JC, Firth BG, Erdman W,
Hargens AR and Blomqvist CG (1995) Pharmacologic atrial natriuretic peptide reduces human
leg capillary filtration. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 26:414-9
Buckey JC Jr, Lane LD, Levine BD, Watenpaugh DE, Wright SJ, Moore WE,
Gaffney FA and Blomqvist CG (1996) Orthostatic intolerance in spaceflight. J Appl
Physiol 81:7-18
Buckey JC Jr, Gaffney FA, Lane LD, Levine BD, Watenpaugh DE, Wright SJ,
Yancy CW Jr, Meyer DM and Blomqvist CG (1996) Central venous pressure in space. J Appl
Physiol 81:19-25
Levine BD, Lane LD, Watenpaugh DE, Gaffney FA, Buckey JC and Blomqvist
CG (1996) Maximal exercise performance after adaptation to microgravity. J Appl Physiol
81:686-94
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Last Updated: 17 Nov 2000
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