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Marcelo González

University of Concepción

Dr. Marcelo González studied Biochemistry at the Universidad de Concepción, Chile, and has a Doctoral degree in Physiological Sciences from the Universidad Católica de Chile. From 2009 he has been working at the Universidad de Concepción, first in the Department of Physiology and now in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. His research interest include the description of placental vascular regulation mechanisms, both in physiological conditions and in pregnancy diseases such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. In his laboratory, scientists use different methods of cellular biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and vascular reactivity to elucidate the mechanisms of vascular regulation from the molecular interactions to organ function. Recently, his work has focused on the study of potassium channel regulation and its interaction with nitric oxide signaling in the human placenta, to determine the potential alterations of these mechanisms in gestational diabetes. He has published 32 articles in WOS journals and 4 book chapters.

1books edited

1chapters authored

Latest work with IntechOpen by Marcelo González

The two main causes of death in the world are directly related to cardiovascular system disorders, ischemic heart disease, and stroke. These pathological conditions are caused by complex molecular mechanisms related to endothelial dysfunction and, finally, structural and functional alterations of blood vessels. Clinical evidence demonstrates the relevance of knowledge about vascular biology, from molecular mechanisms to clinical applications, especially for students of medical sciences or basic sciences. This book is an international effort of collaboration, with the purpose to create an academic tool for students or people interested in learning about vascular biology. I invite the readers to check the chapters and explore the topics developed by experts in the field.

Vascular Biology

Vascular Biology

Edited by Marcelo González

Chapters authored

L-Arginine/Nitric Oxide Pathway and KCa Channels in Endothelial Cells: A Mini-Review

By Marcelo González and José Carlos Rivas

The endothelium is an organ with a key role in the maintenance of cardiovascular health through the regulation of vascular tone, vascular resistance, blood flow, and arterial pressure. These functions are related with the synthesis and release of vasoactive molecules, mainly vasodilators like nitric oxide (NO) and endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factor (EDHF). Both factors are released and diffused from endothelial cells to the smooth muscle cells, where there is a subsequent activation of signaling pathways that finally decrease the intracellular calcium to induce the vascular relaxation. The study of the molecular mechanisms that underlie the endothelial function still is in development, but from the evidence obtained from the endothelial cells in vitro studies are possible to partially describe the pathways to regulate the physiological endothelial function and the disturbances in pathological conditions. In this mini-review, we describe the main mechanisms for NO synthesis and the role of potassium channels related with EDHF. We include schemes and graphical summaries for better understanding of the molecular regulation of vascular tone in the human cardiovascular system.

Part of the book: Vascular Biology

Related collaborators

Xhevdet Krasniqi

University Clinical Center of Kosovo , Kosovo

Hajdin Citaku

University Clinical Center of Kosovo , Kosovo

Weilue He

Michigan Technological University , United States of America

Dai-Min Zhang

Maria Kwesiga

Michigan Technological University , United States of America

Yan-Rong Zhu

Xiao-Xin Jiang

Peng Ye

Shao-Liang Chen

Eyerusalem Gebreyesus

Michigan Technological University , United States of America