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Life Sciences

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Theses/Dissertations

2014

Heart failure

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The Implications Of Altered Cholinergic Signaling In Cardiac Health And Disease, Ashbeel Roy Aug 2014

The Implications Of Altered Cholinergic Signaling In Cardiac Health And Disease, Ashbeel Roy

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

­Cardiac remodeling and dysfunction occur prior to the onset of heart failure. Altered regulation of cardiac function by the autonomic nervous system has been implicated in the progression of heart disease. Both altered sympathetic and parasympathetic tone contribute to cardiac disease; however, the role of the parasympathetic nervous system, and specifically acetylcholine (ACh), in cardiac dysfunction has not been fully elucidated. In these studies, we sought to determine whether changes in neuronal and/or non-neuronal ACh release regulate cardiac activity and alter the progression of cardiac remodeling and dysfunction. A systemic decrease in the expression of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter …


Probiotic Therapy For Heart Failure: Investigating The Potential Anti-Hypertrophic Properties Of Probiotics, Grace L. Ettinger Jul 2014

Probiotic Therapy For Heart Failure: Investigating The Potential Anti-Hypertrophic Properties Of Probiotics, Grace L. Ettinger

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Heart failure patients face a five-year 50% mortality rate, due to impaired cardiac function and hypertrophy of the heart. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. Considering the established cardiovascular benefits of some probiotics, including reduction of cholesterol and hypertension, it was hypothesized that probiotics can improve outcomes of heart failure. Probiotics or controls were administered orally to an animal model for heart failure. Those receiving probiotics showed a significant improvement in cardiac hypertrophy and an attenuation of heart failure compared to control. No changes in gut microbial composition occurred. …