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Rasna Sabharwal, PhD, FAHA

Contact Information

Office: 627 MRC
Phone: 319-335-7674
Faculty Profile

Brief description of current research:

Our research is directed towards understanding the role of sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin system in neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.  In addition, we are interested to determine how muscle wasting and/or redox disturbances lead to the development of obesity and secondary metabolic complications, and worsen the quality of life in muscular dystrophies.  Our ultimate goal is to identify novel therapies that can be translated to yield better clinical outcomes.  

3 most influential diabetes/obesity/metabolism publications:

  • Sabharwal, R., Rasmussen L, Sluka KA, Chapleau MW. (2016). Exercise prevents development of autonomic dysregulation and hyperalgesia in a mouse model of chronic muscle pain. Pain 157(2): 387-398. PMCID: PMC4724275.
  • Sabharwal, R.*, Weiss, R.M., Zimmerman, K., Domenig, O., Cicha, M.Z., and Chapleau, M.W. (2015). Angiotensin-dependent autonomic dysregulation precedes dilated cardiomyopathy in a mouse model of muscular dystrophy.     Exp Physiol 100(7): 776-795. PMCID: PMC4505616. *corresponding author
  • Sabharwal, R.*, Cicha, M.Z., Sinisterra, R., de Sousa, F.B., Santos, R.A., and Chapleau, M.W. (2014). Chronic oral administration of Ang-(1-7) improves skeletal muscle, autonomic, and locomotor phenotypes in muscular dystrophy. Clin Sci 127(2): 101-9. PMCID: PMC4318348. *corresponding author

Quote:

'Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching'