Erica Randolph |
Name: Erica Randolph
School: Tougaloo College Major: Biology Mentor: Dr. Sean M. Wilson Expected Graduation Date: May 2008 Organizations & Honors:
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ABSTRACT
Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Remodeling induced by Chronic Hypoxia
| Chronic hypoxia is a risk factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and other forms of pulmonary arterial hypertension in humans. The American Lung Association reports that 11.4 million Americans were estimated to have the disease in 2004. Pulmonary arterial hypertensive patients have characteristics of smooth muscle remodeling, which can affect contractility. Fourth order sheep arteries were cryosectioned and imaged using a confocal microscope. The arteries’ smooth muscle width was measured and compared to determine if there is a difference between hypoxic and normoxic individuals. Three arteries isolated from fetal and adult sheep that were chronically hypoxic were the groups examined for this project. These results show that there is a significant difference between the two groups. |