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| Heiko
Bugger |
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Home
Institution
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg i. Br.
Host
Institution
Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine,
New Haven
Research Mentor: Raymond R. Russell III, M.D., Ph.D.
E-mail:
heiko.bugger@gmx.net
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Research
Topic
see Abstract |
Personal
Reactions to the U.S. Experience
Many people readily say that Americans have no culture, maybe because of
the country's short history compared to all the European countries. But
I think there is definitely an own culture that developed in this country.
That not only includes different food and the way Americans enjoy their
meals, it is also the way people talk to each other, how Americans think
about things like world policy and domestic issues and how they manage their
everyday lives. It is quite different from what I know from my home country.
And that is an experience I never want to miss, because I learned to see
things from another point of view, and I will change my mind about some
things in Germany when I return home. |
Greatest
Difficulties Encountered
Getting to Stop and Shop was always a problem because this food store was
outside the city, as are all the big shops and markets. I was not able to
afford my own car, so I had to arrange rides with friends who could afford
a car, and that required a lot of flexibility. |
Most
humorous incident
It is difficult to emphasize one thing that was most humorous because there
were so many small things every day that happened that were just different
and therefore just funny. Riding a bicycle in the US was a real adventure
because nobody took care of you, no pedestrian, no car and also no police
officer. That made it a life-defending job to ride my bike safely and caused
quite a few unexpected and funny situations. |
Helpful
Hints for Future Students
- Save some money before your trip. You will need it.
- Make sure you have a working credit card.
- Attend the BMEP FORUM in Maine.
- Never try Budweiser! |
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Abstract
on Research Topic
Downregulation of uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 in the failing heart:
Effects on energy metabolism and reactive oxygen species generation |
Authors
Heiko Bugger, Cinthia Guzman, Christoph Zechner, Monica Palmeri, Kerry S.
Russell, Raymond R. Russell III |
Institution
Section of Cardiovascular Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine,
New Haven, CT |
Purpose
Uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 and UCP-3 are mitochondrial proteins responsible
for dissipating the proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane
and therefore ultimately regulate coupling between citric acid cycle flux
and ATP synthesis. UCP-2 and UCP-3 are also thought to regulate fatty acid
metabolism and detoxify mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Recent
studies have demonstrated that heart failure decreases UCP-2 and UCP-3 mRNA
expression. However, the expression of UCP-2 and UCP-3 protein in the failing
heart and the resultant changes in mitochondrial function have not been
determined. |
Methods
and Results
Heart failure was induced in rats with doxorubicin (18mg/kg total). There
was an associated 60% decrease in UCP-2 and UCP-3 expression in hearts from
doxorubicin-treated rats compared to nonfailing hearts. In order to determine
the effects of decreased UCP expression, respiration and ATP synthesis were
determined for isolated mitochondria. While the rates of state 3 and state
4 respiration and ATP synthesis were lower in mitochondria from failing
hearts, the respiratory control ratio (RCR) was 15% higher and the ratio
of ATP production to oxygen consumption (P/O ratio) was 25% higher in mitochondria
from failing hearts, indicating greater coupling between citric acid cycle
flux and mitochondrial ATP synthesis. In contrast to the beneficial effects
on ATP synthesis, downregulation of UCP-2 and UCP-3 in the failing heart
resulted in greater ROS generation. |
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Conclusion
In the failing heart, the downregulation of UCP-2 and UCP-3 improves the
efficiency of ATP synthesis, partially compensating for abnormal energy
metabolism. However, the beneficial effect is counterbalanced by a decreased
ability to detoxify ROS.
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