As is now well recognized that environmental exposure is linked to the pathophysiology of a number of chronic diseases including cancers, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson. Human life expectancy is longer than before, therefore the world population is at risk of developing chronic diseases. The laboratory of Pharmacology, CRI has a mission to understand the basic mechanisms of diseases, pathogenesis, and influences of environmental factors on cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegeneration. Particular interest is paid to cholinergic muscarinic receptors (MRs),  and glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3) signaling pathways in which both involve diverse array of cellular functions ranging from cell proliferation, glucose metabolism and cell death. Moreover, both MRs and GSK3 influence inflammation, a process that plays critical roles in development of many chronic diseases, and is triggered by environmental factors like air pollutants and pesticides. Additionally, dysregulation of GSK3 has been implicated in insulin resistance type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Interestingly, most recently type II diabetes has been identified as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, we also interested in the roles of cholinergic receptors in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease. Deep understanding in disease pathogenesis and environmental factors that influence the pathological states could lead to prevention and novel-targeted interventions for such diseases which will decrease burden of care for individuals and country as a whole. In our recent studies, we found that in the Cd-induced hypertension in animal model was related to its suppression on ACh-induced vascular relaxation by nitric oxide. Treatment with Cd decreased endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein level in blood vessels.
Recently, we have expanded our research activity in collaboration with laboratory of Biotechnology, CRI, to study the impacts of environmental pollutants on antimicrobial drug resistance.