Neelam Khaper, Ph.D.

My general research interests are in the area of pathophysiology and novel therapeutic approaches of heart failure using various experimental models. My specific focus is to study the role of oxidants and antioxidants in cardiac remodeling.
My main objectives are:

To characterize the cellular and molecular mechanisms linking the direct antioxidant effect of taurine and to understand its role in cardiac redox regulation. More specifically, I will investigate its involvement in glutathione metabolism as well as its cross talk with the NADPH oxidase system and the thioredoxin pathway.

To study the synergistic impact of oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy on cardiac remodeling associated with type 2 diabetes using an animal model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. More specifically we will investigate the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms by which hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress leads to cell death and myocardial pathogenesis.

These studies will offer opportunities to delineate the mechanism underlying oxidative stress and form the foundations for clinical therapeutic studies

Oudit G., Triveri M., Khaper N., Liu PP, Backx PH. A critical role for L-type calcium channels in iron transport and iron-overload cardiomyopathy. 2005; (In Press).

Nian M., Lee P., Khaper N., Liu PP. Inflammatory cytokines and post-myocardial infarction remodeling. Circulation Research, 2004; 94: 1543-1553.

Oudit G., Triveri M., Khaper N., Yazdanpanah M., Husain T, Liu PP., Wilson GJ., Sole MJ and Backx P. Taurine supplementation reduces oxidative stress and improves cardiovascular function in an iron-overload murine model. Circulation, 2004; 109: 1877-1885.

Khaper N, Kaur K, Farahmand F, Li T and Singal PK. Antioxidant enzyme gene
expression in congestive heart failure following myocardial infarction. Mol Cell
Biochem; 251(1-2): 9-15, 2003.

Shawky, M., Khaper, N., and Liu PP. Oxygen free radicals, Iron and cytokines in heart failure- From bench to bedside. Oxidative stress and Cardiac failure. Eds: Kukun Ml, Fuster V. Armonk NY: Futura Publishing Company., 2003: 129-151.

Khaper N., Singal P.K. Modulation of oxidative stress by a selective inhibition of angiotensin II type 1 receptors in MI rats. Journal of American College of Cardiology. 37: 1461-1466, 2001.

Khaper, N. and Singal, P.K. Effects of afterload reducing drugs on the pathogenesis of antioxidant changes and congestive heart failure in rats. J. Am. Coll Cardiol. 29: 856-861, 1997.

Khaper, N., Rigatto, C., Seneviratne, C., Li, T. and Singal, P.K. Chronic treatment with propranolol induces antioxidant changes and protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury. J. Mol. Cell. Cardiol. 29: 3335-3344, 1997.