Ronald L. Terjung, PhD, DSc
Associate Dean of Research and Professor, Department of Biomedical SciencesAdjunct Professor, Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology
Office Location: E101 Veterinary Medicine
Office Phone: 573-882-2635
TerjungR@missouri.edu
Research Interests
Research Description
Adenine nucleotide metabolism occupies a pivotal role in cell regulation, particularly for skeletal muscle where contractile activity increases adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis manyfold. The control of ATP concentration in contracting muscle depends upon: Terjung's lab is evaluating differences in adenine metabolism among skeletal muscle fiber types, critical responses to exercise and adaptations induced by chronic exercise. Enhanced physical activity represents an important treatment for persons with peripheral arterial insufficiency and leads to meaningful adaptations that increase exercise tolerance. These adaptations include neovascular development to improve a) blood/tissue exchange properties within muscle (enhanced capillarity) and b) flow capacity to active muscle (collateral vessel expansion). The exercise-induced increase in collateral blood flow likely involves the angiogenic growth factors (e.g., bFGF, VEGF). These potent cytokines stimulate neovascularization in experimental ischemia in vivo. The working hypothesis is that neovascularization occurs in response to tissue "need" established by flow deficits (ischemia) and/or by increased demands for vascular support (exercise). Terjung's research is evaluating:
Professional Background
- Earned PhD, Department of Physiology, University of Iowa.
- Completed National Institutes of Health (NIH) postdoctoral training, Washington University School of Medicine.
- Recognized as National Academy of Sciences Foreign Exchange awardee.
- Received NIH Research Career Development Award.
- Fogarty International Fellow
- Received honorary doctorate, conferred by the Medical Academy, Bialystok Poland.
- Received NIH Merit Award.
- Received Cybulski Medal for Scientific Distinction, Polish Physiological Society.
- Received Citation Award, American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
- Presidential Lecture, ACSM.
- Served as associate editor and editor, J. Appl. Physiol. and Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews.
- Served on NIH Study Sections and Scientific Review Panels.
- Research supported by the NIH Institutes, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculosketal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) and the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
Selected Publications
- Brault, J.J., K.A. Abraham, and R.L. Terjung. Creatine muscle uptake and creatine transporter expression in response to creatine supplementation and depletion. J. Appl. Physiol.: 94:2173-2180, 2003.
- Abraham, K.A., J.J. Brault, and R.L. Terjung. Phosphate uptake and PiT-1 protein expression in rat skeletal muscle. Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiol.): 287:C73 C78, 2004.
- Abraham, K.A., R.L. Terjung. Phosphate uptake in rat skeletal muscle is reduced during contractions. J. Appl. Physiol. 97:57-62, 2004.
- Prior, B.M., H.T. Yang, and R.L. TERJUNG. What makes vessels grow with exercise training? J. Appl. Physiol. 97:1119-1128, 2004.
- Prior, B.M., P.G. Lloyd, H.T. Yang, and R.L. Terjung. Time-course of changes in collateral blood flow, and isolated vessel size and gene regulation following femoral artery occlusion in the rat. Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiol.): 287:H2434-H2447, 2004.
- Lloyd, P.G., B.M. Prior, H. Li, H.T. Yang and R.L. Terjung. VEGF receptor antagonism inhibits arteriogenesis, but only partially inhibits angiogenesis in skeletal muscle of exercising rats. Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiol.): 287:H000-H000, 2005. (10.1152/ajpheart.00786.2004).