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Green, Howard J.

Howard J. Green

Howie Green

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Research:

My research program is concerned with examining the acute and chronic changes that occur in skeletal muscle in response to perturbations in energy homeostasis. Particular attention is given both to the metabolic pathways involved in the generation of energy and to the excitation and contraction processes that utilize energy. Presently, we are employing a number of models designed to either increase ATP utilization (electrical stimulation, voluntary activity) or to reduce ATP availability (hypoxia, ischemia, hypervolemia). We also are involved in studying skeletal muscle in selected disease states such as chronic heart failure (CHF) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where aerobic metabolisms is compromised as a result of reduced oxygen availability. Although the major focus of our efforts is directed at describing the remodeling that occurs in the cell at all levels of organization (histochemical, enzymatic, ultrastructural, molecular) and the factors governing altered protein expression, we are also interested in the consequences of the adaptations, as determined during exercise, on mechanical function and fatiguability, substrate and ionic flux. Ultimately, we hope to be able to determine the strategies employed, both in health and disease, to defend against challenges to muscle energy balance.

Our work has allowed us to challenge a number of long-held beliefs concerning metabolic regulation and adaptation in working muscle. As an example, we have demonstrated that adaptations designed to protect energy homeostasis occur soon after the onset of regular exercise, by mechanisms that are independent of increases in mitochondrial potential. Moreover, our work on sodium and potassium transmembrane regulation and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium handling indicates that changes in these processes are also intimately involved and closely integrated with the adaptations that occur in metabolic regulation.

In 1988, Dr. Green was the winner of the CASS Outstanding Research (Basic Science) Award. Recently (2001), he was honoured with an Award for Excellence for Research from the University of Waterloo. In 2003, he received the Citation Award for research from the American College of Sports Medicine.

For more information about my research please visit my research home page.

Key Publications:

  1. Green, H.J. Membrane excitability, weakness and fatigue. Can J Appl Physiol. 29:291-307, 2004.
  2. Green, H.J., D.J. Barr, J.R. Fowles, S.D. Sandiford, and J. Ouyang. Malleability of human skeletal muscle in Na+-K+-ATPase pump with short-term training. J Appl Physiol. 97:143-148, 2004.
  3. Schertzer, J.D., Green, H.J., Fowles, J.R., Duhamel, T.A., and Tupling, A.R. Effects of prolonged exercise and recovery on sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-cycling properties in rat muscle homogenates. Acta Physiol Scand. 179:1-14, 2003.
  4. Fowles, J.R., H.J. Green and J. Ouyang. Na+-K+-ATPase in rat skeletal muscle: Content, isoform and activity characteristics. J. Appl. Physiol. 96: 316-326, 2004.
  5. Duhamel, T.A., Green, H.J., Perco, J.D., Sandiford, S.D., and Ouyang, J. Depression in human sarcoplasmic reticulum function during submaximal exercise is not modified by hypoxia. J Appl Physiol. 97:180- 187, 2004.
  6. Green, H.J. T.A. Duhamel, S. Ferth, G.P. Holloway, M.M. Thomas, A.R.Tupling, S.M. Rich and J.E.Yau. Reversal of muscle-fatigue during 16 h of heavy intermittent exercise. J Appl Physiol. 97:2166-2175, 2004.