James H. Zavecz, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience
Ph.D., 1974, Ohio State University

Major Research Interests:
The hyperdynamic circulation and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy associated with cirrhotic liver disease.

The mechanism(s) responsible for the cardiovascular dysfunction associated with liver disease such as cirrhosis is the primary focus of the laboratory. Interests include the potential role of nitric oxide and elevated serum bile salts in the development and maintenance of the cardiac dysfunction and the decreased responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle to vasoconstrictors. The laboratory focuses on excitation-contraction coupling in cardiac muscle and pharmacomechanical coupling in vascular smooth muscle.

Selected Recent Publications:
Battarbee, H. D., Zavecz, J. H., Grisham, M. D., Chandler, L. J., Mercer, J., Bueno, O., Maloney, R. E., and Cady, F. Cardiac impairment and nitric oxide synthase activity in the chronic portal vein-stenosed rat. Am. J. Physiol. 276: G363-G372 (1999).

Zavecz, J.H., Battarbee, H.D., Bueno, O.F., O'Donnell, J.M., Roerig, S.C., and Maloney, R.E. Cardiac excitation-contraction coupling in the portal hypertensive rat. Am. J. Physiol. Gastrointest. Liver Physiol. 279: G28-G39 2000.

Contact Info:
Dr. James H. Zavecz
Associate Professor
Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Neuroscience
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center
1501 Kings Highway
Shreveport, LA 71130-3932
318-675-7861
jzavec@lsuhsc.edu