Scientific Lecture
Thursday , December 15, 2011, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
You are invited to a scientific lecture by Dr. Robert Boushel, D.Sc. on:
Circulatory and mitochondrial limits to oxygen consumption during exercise in humans
Robert Boushel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Department of Anaesthesia at the Mitochondrial Physiology Centre, Bispebjerg Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. He will be introduced by Professor Glen Kenny, of the School of Human Kinetics.
Abstract
Robert Boushel studies the regulation of oxygen transport by the cardiovascular system and oxygen utilization by mitochondria applying an integrated systems approach. He specializes in the regulation of cardiac output, muscle blood flow distribution and oxygen consumption during exercise in humans, and the effects of exercise training and environment on cardiovascular and mitochondrial function.
Almost all cells in the body rely on oxygen to generate energy by mitochondria, small organelles that symbiosed with anaerobic cells ~1.6 billion years ago in a changing environment of increasing oxygen. In turn, a symmorphosis developed between the capacity of the cardiovascular system to deliver oxygen to muscle tissue during exercise in most species except humans due to the low pumping capacity of the heart such that there exists an excess capacity of mitochondria relative to oxygen delivery whether a human is running a marathon or hiking at 5000 m altitude, or surviving in the cold or heat.
In the context of both health and disease mitochondria are thought to be a ‘sensor’ of the cell, responding directly to climate, food intake, drugs, toxins and exercise and they exert feedback signals to also regulate systemic responses as seen by their tight control of metabolic rate and body heat production.
A communication system exists between mitochondria and other organ systems such as the cardiovascular system, and many diseases such as diabetes, lung disease, Alzheimer’s Disease, epilepsy, heart failure and premature aging are linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria possess their own genome, distinguishing populations from ~15-75,000 years ago, and this forms the basis for tracing bioethnic heritage. These same genes encode for regulatory subunits of the electron transport chain to allow for acute adaptive responses to stimuli such as exercise training and diet.
Emerging evidence on gene-environment interactions from studies on a range of populations from athletes to vanishing traditional populations such as traditional Inuit hunters of Arctic Greenland as well as sedentary populations of westernized societies indicate that diet and physical activity are central to health.
The lecture is open to the public. RSVP is not necessary.
Limited seating.
Date: Thursday, December 15, 2011
Time: From 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Location:
Faculty of Health Sciences
Roger-Guidon Hall, room 3248
451 Smyth Rd
Ottawa ON K1H 8M5
About Robert Boushel
Robert Boushel obtained a bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education and English Literature from Acadia University, a Master of Arts Degree in Adult Education from the University of South Florida and a Doctor of Science degree in Anatomy & Physiology from Boston University.
Dr. Boushel worked with the US Army Division of Altitude Physiology & Medicine Directorate at Natick, MA working with the Special Forces Division. He then moved to Copenhagen to work with Bengt Saltin at The Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, and did further post-doctoral studies at The University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas with Jere Mitchell in the Division of Internal Medicine. He later took a position at Concordia University as University Research Chair, and was Adjunct Professor of Medicine at McGill University. Thereafter, he returned to Copenhagen and is now the Director of the Centre for Mitochondrial Physiology at the University Hospital of Copenhagen University, Bispebjerg and Director of The International Graduate Course Program.
Dr. Boushel's research covers autonomic and biochemical control of the circulation, the regulation of circulatory and metabolic responses to exercise in varying climatic environments, and gene-environment interactions in metabolic health. His recent focus is on how mitochondria function as a cellular regulator and meter of systemic circulatory responses health in the modern environment.
Selected References:
- Boushel et al. Muscle mitochondrial capacity exceeds maximal oxygen delivery in humans. Mitochondrion 11(2), 303-307, 2011.
- Boushel Muscle metaboreflex control of the circulation during exercise. Acta Physiologica (Oxford) 199(4):367-383, 2010.
- Boushel, et al. Patients with type 2 diabetes have normal mitochondrial function in skeletal muscle. Diabetologia 50(4):790-796, 2007.
- Boushel R, Kjaer M. Redundancy reflects versatility of blood flow regulation mechanisms. Journal of Physiology (Lond)Perspectives 557(Pt 2):346, 2004.
- Boushel et al. Combined inhibition of nitric oxide and prostaglandins reduces human skeletal muscle blood flow during exercise. Journal of Physiology (Lond) 543:691-698, 2002.
- Boushel et al. Parasympathetic neural activity accounts for the lowering of exercise heart rate at high altitude. Circulation 104: 1785-1791, 2001.
