Sudhakar Veeranki, DVM, MVSc, PhD

Fall 2016
Sudhakar Veeranki, DVM, MVSc, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor (Term)
Florida International University, 2009

 The focus of the lab is to decipher the regulatory mechanisms of mitochondrial dysfunction, alterations in growth factor signaling and hydrogen sulfide deficiency and their interdependence in the context of ischemic heart disease (myocardial infarction and Ischemia/Reperfusion) and diabetic cardiomyopathy. At the functional level, we study the microcirculation, ischemic angiogenesis, myogenesis, contractility and mitochondrial & heart function. We employ multi-pronged and comprehensive approaches (genetic, epigenetic, biochemical, pharmacological, physiological and molecular) in the mouse models of heart failure. We also study the influence of systemic factors especially those coming from the skeletal muscles on the heart function.

 Pubmed link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=Sudhakar+Veeranki+or+Veeranki+and+louisville

 Selected Papers:

  1. Veeranki S#, *, Givvimani  S*, Kundu S,  Metreveli N,  Pushpakumar S,  and Tyagi SC.  Moderate intensity exercise prevents diabetic cardiomyopathy associated contractile dysfunction through restoration of mitochondrial function and connexin 43 levels in db/db mice. Journal of Molecular and Cellular Cardiology.  (2016 Mar;92:163-73.).
  2. Givvimani  S, Pushpakumar S,  Metreveli N, Veeranki S, Kundu S, Tyagi SC.  Role of Mitochondrial fission and fusion in cardiomyocyte contractility. International Journal of Cardiology. 2015 Mar 25;187: 325-333.
  3. Veeranki S#, Winchester L and Tyagi SC. Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) associated skeletal muscle weakness involves mitochondrial dysfunction and epigenetic modifications. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease. 2015 May; 1852 (5):732-41.
  4. Veeranki S#, Givvimani S, Pushpakumar S and Tyagi SC. Hyperhomocysteinemia Attenuates Vasculogenesis Through Reduction of HIF-1 Alpha and PGC-1 Alpha Levels in Muscle Fibers During Hind Limb Ischemia. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2014 Apr; 306 (8):H1116-27.
  5. Veeranki S# and Tyagi SC. Role of hydrogen sulfide in skeletal muscle biology and metabolism. Nitric Oxide. 2015 Apr 30; 46:66-71.
  6. Givvimani S, Pushpakumar S*, Veeranki S*, and Tyagi SC. Dysregulation of Mfn2 and Drp-1 proteins in Heart Failure. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology. 2014 Jul; 92(7):583-91.