Kyushu University · Medicine
Professor Takanari Kitazono's research lab specializes in cerebrovascular physiology and pharmacology, focusing on the molecular mechanisms underlying cerebral vasodilatation and vascular tone regulation. The lab investigates ion channels—particularly ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels—and their modulation by vasoactive peptides such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). A central theme is understanding how cyclic AMP signaling pathways contribute to cerebrovascular relaxation, with implications for cerebral ischemia and vasospasm. The lab employs in vivo imaging techniques in animal models to study dynamic vascular responses in real time.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
Activation of potassium channels is a major mechanism of cerebral vasodilatation. Alteration of activity of potassium channels and impairment of vasodilatation may contribute to the development or maintenance of cerebral ischemia or vasospasm.
Stimulation of adenylate cyclase appears to activate ATP-sensitive K+ channels in the basilar artery. We tested the hypothesis that calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which increases intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels, activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels and thereby causes vasodilatation. Using a cranial window in anesthetized rats, we examined responses of the basilar artery to CGRP in vivo. We also examined responses of the artery to another vasoactive peptid
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