REGULATION OF CORONARY MICROVASCULAR FLOW AND TRANSPORT

Significant advances have been made in understanding the Cardiovascular system. However, little attention has been given to the myocardial microcirculation. We propose to study the regulatory mechanisms of coronary microvascular flow and transport in health and in diabetes mellitus. We will use intravital microscopy assisted by computer image analysis to visualize the epimyocardial microcirculation. Morphometric analysis will be performed also by light, scanning and electron microscopy to determine structure-function relationships. The indicator dilution method will be used to assess the overall transport capacity of the heart. Diabetes mellitus will be chemically induced. The coronary microvascular alterations in flow and transport will be investigated. Our results will provide a basis to further understand the adaptive mechanisms by which the coronary microcirculation meets myocardial metabolic demands and how these control processes are altered by diabetes mellitus.