Vascular Physiology Laboratory
Some of our current projects...
The larynx is a hormone target organ in that the hormonal climate influences the sex characteristics of the voice. In premenopausal females, estrogen and progesterone are believed to work synergistically to influence hydration, viscosity, and vascularity of the vocal musculo-mucosal complex, thus influencing laryngeal morphology, histology, and function.
Empirical investigations of vocal function associated with changes in endocrine function during pre and postmenopause are lacking, despite the known acoustic and perceptual differences in voice quality after menopause and before the onset of menses: vocal fatigue, decreased range, and loss of vocal power.
The goal of the proposed research is to gain basic knowledge of the influence of the menstrual cycle on vocal function and identify periods of vocal vulnerability in healthy women as a platform to later study the influence of hormone changes on vocal loading in women with comorbid conditions believed to contribute to the development of voice disorders, e.g., allergies, asthma, and reflux.
The enzyme, DPP-IV, is found in the saliva in the mouth. The actions of DPP-IV in the mouth location are poorly understood, but saliva contains hormones that can be modified by DPPIV; therefore, it is possible that DPP-IV acts in the saliva to change the actions of these hormones. When these hormones are activated, they are thought contribute to feelings of satiety.
Certain foods also have the effect of inducing satiety or reducing satiety. It is generally believed that this effect is induced by gut hormones. However, recent evidence suggests that the mouth may play an important role in the physiological response to food. It is not known if DPP-IV is part of this connection between the mouth and gut or if DPP-IV activity can be altered by foods.
The immune system response to exercise may affect the ability of cells to take up glucose for fuel. What you eat (sugars and protein) may also change how well your muscles use glucose for fuel.
Through our investigation, we expect to find that when a non-exercising person does a single bout of exercise, they will have an inflammatory response. However, when a persons takes a high sugar drink before exercise, they will increase the inflammatory response, and as a result, decrease the rate of glucose uptake by the muscles. The opposite will be seen when a person has a high protein drink before they exercise. There will still be an inflammatory response, but the rate of glucose uptake will be increased to allow for more fuel during exercise and recovery. These findings are important to know the immune response of exercise in an individual. It will also help to better advise people who are beginning exercise on what supplements, if any, they should take to increase the amount of glucose their cells take up for fuel during exercise.