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Muscle heat shock proteins with passive heating

Local heating induces vascular and metabolic adjustments as a result of increased muscle tissue perfusion and delivery of oxygen and regulatory substances to the heated area(s). In addition to these responses, which are dependent on elevated flow and supply of regulatory substances, oxygen and nutrients, increased local temperature can also induce intracellular responses directly.

One such molecular response to passive heating is increased heat shock proteins (HSPs). HSPs protect cells from damage during stress with the intention of maintaining/improving cell function; this has led to HSPs being classified as a “molecular chaperones”.

The purpose of this experiment is to understand how nutritional/pharmacological manipulations of HSPs during passive heating can alter the molecular pathways underlying vascular and metabolic adjustments and adaptation to thermal interventions.

Related Research Outputs

Gibson OR, Turner G, Tuttle JA, Taylor L, Watt PW, Maxwell NS (2015). Heat acclimation attenuates physiological strain and the HSP72, but not HSP90α, mRNA response to acute normobaric hypoxia. J Appl Physiol 119(8):889-899.

Chiesa ST, Trangmar SJ, González-Alonso J (2016). Temperature and blood flow distribution in the human leg with passive heat stress. J Appl Physiol 120, 1047-1058.

Wilhelm EN, González-Alonso J, Chiesa ST, Trangmar SJ, Kalsi Wilhelm EN, González-Alonso J, Chiesa ST, Trangmar SJ, Kalsi KK & Rakobowchuk M (2017). Whole body heat stress and intense exercise stimulate the appearance of platelet microvesicles in plasma with limited influence of vascular shear rate. Physiol Rep 5(21), e13496.

Chiesa ST, Trangmar SJ, Kalsi K, Rakobowchuk M, Banker DS, Lotlikar MD, Ali L & González-Alonso J (2015). Local temperature-sensitive mechanisms are important mediators of limb tissue hyperemia in the heat-stressed human at rest and during small muscle mass exercise. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 309, H369-H380.


Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project

Dr Oliver Gibson
Dr Oliver Gibson - Dr Oliver Gibson is a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and a member of staff in the Division of Sport, Health and Exercise Sciences, Department of Life Sciences and a member of the Centre for Physical Activity in Health and Disease. Oliver is the Department of Life Sciences Senior Tutor.  Oliver was awarded his Ph.D from the University of Brighton in 2015 following undergraduate and postgraduate study at the institution where he obtained MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology, PGCE Post Compulsory Education, and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degrees. Oliver is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of The Physiological Society. Oliver's primary research interests relate to Exercise and Environmental Physiology and in particular the impact of Heat Stress on Human Health, Performance, and Function. Research in this area includes understanding the impact of climate change/heat waves on human health, quantifying changes in endurance and team sport performance in the heat and examining methods to attenuate performance declines. Oliver’s research also examines cross adaptation between environmental stressors, and the mechanistic role(s) of heat shock proteins in thermal adaptation. These publications can be viewed in the 'Selected Publications' tab. Oliver provides peer-review for a number of international journals, and has presented at a number of national and international conferences winning several young investigator awards.

Related Research Group(s)

diverse group exercise (1)

Physical Activity in Health and Disease - The centre conducts interdisciplinary research to improve human health and performance through regular physical activity and exercise, and by limiting sedentary behaviour.


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Project last modified 02/10/2023