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Research Interests: Cardiovascular pharmacology & Sympathetic transmission
1. Cardiovascular pharmacology:
Arterial tone, which plays a major role in control of blood pressure, is regulated by intracellular calcium levels. My research interests primarily center upon the functional role of transmembrane Ca channels and K channels in regulation of arterial tone; regulation or modulation of ion channel activity by endogenous vasoactive substances, intracellular second messengers and therapeutic drugs; characterization of channel kinetic properties with new pharmacological probes; muscle rhythmic activity; interaction between endothelium and underlying vascular smooth muscle; ion channels in endothelium; and role of endothelium-derived factors in the vascular response to vasodilators. In addition, the antihypertensive effects of catechins isolated from green tea are currently being under investigation.
2. Sympathetic transmission:
Sympathetic transmitters act on smooth muscle to induce contraction in the periphery. It is of great interest to examine (a) presynaptic regulation by neuropeptides released from neighboring sensory nerve endings to control secretion of transmitters, (b) link between stimulation of autoreceptors and activation of K channels and (c) effects of centrally active drugs on neurotransmission.
Selected Publications:
* Huang, Y. (1995). BaCl2- and 4-aminopyridine- evoked phasic contractions in the rat vas deferens. British Journal of Pharmacology 115:845-851.
* Huang, Y. (1996). Inhibitory effects of noradrenaline uptake blockers on contractions of the rat aorta. British Journal of Pharmacology 117:533-539.
* Huang, Y., Lau, C.W. & Ho, I.H.M. (1997). NS 1619 activates Ca-activated K currents in the rat vas deferens. European Journal of Pharmacology 325:21-27.
* Huang, Y., Lau, C.W. & Ho, I.H.M. (1997). Involvement of ATP-sensitive K channels in inhibitory effect of calcitonin gene-related peptide on neurotransmission in rat vas deferens. European Journal of Pharmacology 327:209-214.
* Huang, Y. & Kwok, K.H. (1997). Effects of putative K channel blockers on ß-adrenoceptor-mediated vasorelaxation in rat isolated mesenteric artery. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology 29:515-519.
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