Vascular Biology Research Group

In the Vascular Biology Research Group we are interested in the regulation of vascular tone, the influence of disease on vascular reactivity and potential pharmacological strategies to improve vascular function.

A major focus of our work is investigation of the potential of flavonoids to protect the cardiovascular system from injury as a result of their antioxidant and vasodilator activity.

Team members

Professor Owen Woodman
Research Group Leader

Student members

• Ms Anjali Joshi - PhD Student
• Ms Erin Stephenson - PhD Student, with Professor John Hawley
• Mr Chen Huei Leo - PhD Student
• Mr Sapha Mosawy - PhD Student, with Dr Matthew Linden

Collaborators

• Dr Clive May, Howard Florey Institute
• Dr Colleen Thomas, Howard Florey Institute
• Prof Bevyn Jarrott, Howard Florey Institute
• Dr Rebecca Ritchie, Baker Heart Research Institute
• Dr Spencer Williams, School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne
• Dr James Ziogas, Department of Pharmacology, University of Melbourne

Funding

• Australian Research Council
• National Heart Foundation

Research Projects

We have a number of ongoing research projects investigating the cardiovascular actions of different flavonoids together with the ability to prevent or reverse cardiovascular disease.

Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds that are found in fruits and vegetables. In populations with a diet high in fruits and vegetables there is a lower incidence of coronary artery disease and that effect has been linked to the beneficial actions of flavonoids. We are examining the mechanism of the vasodilator actions of flavonoids and their ability to prevent diabetes-induced and ischaemia-induced vascular dysfunction.

Our studies thus far suggest that flavones, flavonols and isoflavones upon acute administration are able to inhibit the utilisation of calcium leading to smooth muscle relaxation but that this occurs only at relatively high concentrations. At lower concentrations, the flavones and flavonols exert antioxidant effects that lead to enhanced NO-mediated dilatation. By contrast, chronic treatment with isoflavones may increase the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) enhancing endothelium-dependent vasodilatation.

The vascular endothelium is an important source of powerful vasodilators such as NO, endothelium-derived hyperpolarising factor (EDHF) and prostacyclin (PGI2). The relative importance of these agents in regulating blood flow to the heart and other organs may be influenced by coronary artery disease. We have demonstrated that upon reintroduction of blood flow to a vascular bed that has been ischaemic (no blood flow) for some time there is a reduction in resting blood flow, in comparison to pre-ischaemic levels, and an impaired ability of the arteries to respond to vasodilator drugs. That vessel dysfunction may be due to damage to the endothelium or accumulation of leukocytes (white blood cells) that attach to the endothelium and block blood flow.

In collaboration with Drs May and Thomas at the Howard Florey Institute, we are investigating the effects of myocardial ischaemia and reperfusion on cardiac and coronary vascular function. This work has led to the establishment of the start-up company, NeuProtect Pty Ltd, with work continuing in the Vascular Pharmacology Laboratory and at the Howard Florey Institute. Investigation into the synthesis of new flavonoids that will optimize the beneficial actions of the naturally occurring compounds is being conducted in collaboration with Dr Spencer Williams and Dr Tony Hughes. Novel synthetic flavonols are being used to investigate the mechanism by which these compounds may improve cardiovascular function in diabetes or after myocardial infarction (heart attack).

A major recent focus for our work is the effects of diabetes on endothelial function and the potential for flavonols to preserve endothelial function in the face of diabetes-induced oxidant stress. Diabetes is a major risk factor for vascular disease and we are investigating the pathological processes resulting from high glucose levels that result in vascular dysfunction to try to identify targets for drug intervention..

Recent Publications

Why not join us?

All enquiries about joining the group as Honours and Postgraduate students or as Post-doctoral Fellows should be directed to Professor Owen Woodman.