Education

Biography

Our laboratory is addressing two of the most important issues in vascular biology today: stroke mechanisms; and irreversible cellular destruction in the cardiovascular system caused by alcohol and substance abuse. These studies have already led to the prevention of atherosclerotic lesions, hypertension and stroke-like events in experimental animal models. Additional experimental studies, using manipulations in divalent cation metabolism, have been very effective in the prevention and amelioration of alcohol-, phencyclidine-, cocaine-, and other substance abuse-induced strokes.

We are using intact animals, isolated organs, tissues and cells in culture to understand how divalent cations (Mg2+ and Ca2+), sphingolipids, lipid messengers, protein kinase C and nuclear transcription factors control normal fuctions of vascular smooth muscle cells, cardiac myocytes and several types of neuronal cells. In order to accomplish these goals, we employ various state-of-the-art techniques: NMR spectroscopy; in-vivo high-resolution TV microscopy; digital image microscopy; confocal laser scanning microscopy; culture of primary cells; Mg2+ ion-selective electrodes; mono- and polyclonal antibodies; antisense oligonucleotides; and lipid chemistry. Use of the various models and techniques has led us to hypothesize that magnesium ions can regulate voltage-, receptor-, and leak-operated membrane channels in a number of cell types and that various cellular signaling pathways, particularly isoforms of PKC and sphingolipids are turned on or off by the actions and concentrations of Mg2+ at multiple cellular sites.

Research Interest

• Physiology
• Vagal Maneuvers
• Pharmacology
• Medicine

Our overall interest is the role of magnesium, sphingolipids and lipid messengers in vascular biology and disease processes, such as stroke, diabetes mellitus and atherogenesis. An additional major interest is the role of alcohol and substances of abuse in stroke etiology. To accomplish these ends, whole animals, human subjects, tissues and cell culture techniques are utilized.

Professional Activities:

Service Functions

• Ad Hoc Reviewer, NIH, NSF, and USDA study sections
• Reviewer for various journals and funding organizations

Publications

1. Magnesium deficiency upregulates sphingomyelinases in cardiovascular tissues and cells: cross-talk among proto-oncogenes, Mg(2+), NF-κB and ceramide and their potential relationships to resistant hypertension, atherogenesis and cardiac failure Burton M Altura · Nilank C Shah · Gatha J Shah · Wenyan Li · Aimin Zhang · Tao Zheng · Zhiqiang Li · Xian-Cheng Jiang · Jose Luis Perez-Albela · Bella T Altura
2. HDFx: A novel biologic immunomodulator accelerates wound healing and is suggestive of unique regenerative powers: Potential implications for the warfighter and disaster victims Burton M Altura · Anthony Carella · Asefa Gebrewold.
3. Short-term magnesium deficiency upregulates ceramide synthase in cardiovascular tissues and cells: Cross-talk among cytokines, Mg 2+, NF-kB, and de novo ceramide Burton M Altura · Nilank C Shah · Gatha Shah · Aimin Zhang ·Wenyan Li · Tao Zheng · Jose Luis Perez-Albela · Bella T Altura
4. Sphingolipids regulate [Mg2+]o uptake and [Mg 2+]i content in vascular smooth muscle cells: Potential mechanisms and importance to membrane transport of Mg2+ Tao Zheng · Wenyan Li · Bella T Altura · Nilank C Shah · Burton M Altura
5. HDFx: A novel biologic immunomodulator is therapeutically-effective in hemorrhagic and intestinal-ischemic shock: Importance of microcirculatory-immunological interactions and their potential implications for the warfighter and disaster victims Burton M Altura · Anthony Carella · Asefa Gebrewold.
6. Mg deficiency results in modulation of serum lipids, glutathione, and NO synthase isozyme activation in cardiovascular tissues: Relevance to de novo synthesis of ceramide, serum Mg2+ and atherogenesis Nilank C Shah · Jian-Ping Liu · Jahangir Iqbal · Mahmood Hussain · Xian-Cheng Jiang · Zhiqiang Li · Yan Li · Tao Zheng ·Wenyan Li · Anthony C Sica · Jose Luis Perez-Albela · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
7. Short-term magnesium deficiency upregulates sphingomyelin synthase and p53 in cardiovascular tissues and cells: Relevance to the de novo synthesis of ceramide Burton M Altura · Nilank C Shah · Zhiqiang Li · Xian-Cheng Jiang· Aimin Zhang · Wenyan Li · Tao Zheng · Jose Luis Perez-Albela ·Bella T Altura
8. Magnesium deficiency upregulates serine palmitoyl transferase (SPT 1 and SPT 2) in cardiovascular tissues: Relationship to serum ionized Mg and cytochrome c Burton M Altura · Nilank C Shah · Zhiqiang Li · Xian-Cheng Jiang· Jose Luis Perez-Albela · Bella T Altura
9. Preface to the First International Workshop on Unique Magnesium-Sensitive Ion Selective Electrodes Burton M. Altura · Andrzej Lewenstam
10. Short-term magnesium deficiency results in decreased levels of serum sphingomyelin, lipid peroxidation, and apoptosis in cardiovascular tissues Burton M Altura · Nilank C Shah · Xian-Cheng Jiang · Zhiqiang Li · José Luis Perez-Albela · Anthony C Sica · Bella T Altura
11. Cerebral spinal fluid and serum ionized magnesium and calcium levels in preeclamptic women during administration of magnesium sulfate Alexander Apostol · Radu Apostol · Erum Ali · Anne Choi ·Nazanin Ehsuni · Bin Hu · Lei Li · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
12. A novel biologic immunomodulator, HDFx, protects against lethal hemorrhage, endotoxins and traumatic injury: Potential relevance to emerging diseases
13. Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis and decline in intracellular free Mg with concomitant elevation in [Ca2+]I in rat aortic smooth muscle cells: possible roles of extracellular and intracellular magnesium ions in peroxynitrite-induced cell death. Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Weimin Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
14. Serum ionized magnesium and calcium levels in adult patients with seizures R Sinert · S Zehtabchi · S Desai · P Peacock · B T Altura · B M Altura
15. New Perspectives in Magnesium Research Yoshiki Nishizawa · Hirotoshi Morii · Jean Durlach · Burton M. Altura · Bella T. Altura
16. Introduction to the Symposium Samir Zakhari · Burton M. Altura
17. Abstract 305 Ionized magnesium levels and the ratio of ionized calcium to magnesium in asthma patients before and after treatment with magnesium Richard Sinert · Mark Spektor · Andrew Gorlin · Christopher Doty ·Adam Rubin · Bella T. Altura · Burton M. Altura
18. Peroxynitrite-induced relaxation in isolated rat aortic rings and mechanisms of action Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
19. Ionized magnesium levels and the ratio of ionized calcium to magnesium in asthma patients before and after treatment with magnesium Richard Sinert · Mark Spektor · Andrew Gorlin · Christopher Doty ·Adam Rubin · B T Altura · Burton M. Altura
20. Benefits and Risks of Sex Hormone Replacement in Postmenopausal Women Mildred S Seelig · Burton M Altura · Bella T Altura
21. Serum ionized magnesium levels and ionized calcium-to-magnesium ratios in adult patients with sickle cell anemia Shahriar Zehtabchi · Richard Sinert · Stephan Rinnert · Betty Chang · Christian Heinis · Rachel A Altura · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
22. Mechanisms of hydroxyl radical-induced contraction of rat aorta Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Weimin Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
23. Cocaine-induced relaxation of isolated rat aortic rings and mechanisms of action: Possible relation to cocaine-induced aortic dissection and hypotension Wenyan Li · Jialin Su · Swati Sehgal · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
24. Cocaine Induces Apoptosis in Primary Cultured Rat Aortic Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells: Possible Relationship to Aortic Dissection, Atherosclerosis, and Hypertension Jialin Su · Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Bella T. Altura · Burton M. Altura
25. Peroxynitrite Induces Apoptosis in Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells: Possible Relation to Vascular Diseases Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Jialin Su · Weimin Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
26. Peroxynitrite-induced relaxation in isolated canine cerebral arteries and mechanisms of action Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
27. Alcohol-induced apoptosis of canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: Role of extracellular and intracellular calcium ions Wenyan Li · Jianfeng Li · Weiming Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
28. Hydrogen peroxide induces apoptosis in cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: Possible relation to neurodegenerative diseases and strokes Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Jialin Su · Weimin Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
29. Cocaine induces apoptosis in cerebral vascular muscle cells: Potential roles in strokes and brain damage Jialin Su · Jianfeng Li · Wenyan Li · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
30. Peroxynitrite induces apoptosis in canine cerebral vascular muscle cells: Possible relation to neurodegenerative diseases and strokes Jianfeng Li · Jialin Su · Wenyan Li · Weimin Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
31. Expression of the nuclear factor-κB and proto-oncogenes c-fos and c-jun are induced by low extracellular Mg2+ in aortic and cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: Possible links to hypertension, atherogenesis, and stroke Burton M Altura · Adele B Kostellow · Aimin Zhang · Wenyan Li ·Gene A Morrill · Raj K Gupta · Bella T Altura
32. Low extracellular magnesium ions induce lipid peroxidation and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle: Possible relation to traumatic brain injury and strokes Burton M Altura · Asefa Gebrewold · Aimin Zhang · Bella T Altura
33. Catalase prevents elevation of [Ca2+]i induced by alcohol in cultured canine cerebral vascular smooth muscle cells: Possible relationship to alcohol-induced stroke and brain pathology Wenyan Li · Weimin Liu · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
34. Inhibitor of nuclear factor-Kappa B activation attenuates venular constriction, leukocyte rolling-adhesion and microvessel rupture induced by ethanol in intact rat brain microcirculation: Relation to ethanol-induced brain injury Burton M Altura · Asefa Gebrewold
35. Roles of tyrosine kinase-, 1-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-, and mitogen-activated protein kinase-signaling pathways in ethanol-induced contractions of rat aortic smooth muscle: Possible relation to alcohol-induced hypertension Zhi-wei Yang · Jun Wang · Tao Zheng · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura
36. Role of leukocytes in ethanol-induced microvascular injury in the rat brain in situ: Potential role in alcohol brain pathology and stroke Burton M Altura · Asefa Gebrewold · Aimin Zhang · Bella T Altura
37. Sphingomyelinase and ceramide analogs induce vasoconstriction and leukocyte-endothelial interactions in cerebral venules in the intact rat brain: Insight into mechanisms and possible relation to brain injury and stroke Burton M Altura · Asefa Gebrewold · Tao Zheng · Bella T Altura
38. Ethanol induces rapid lipid peroxidation and activation of nuclear factor-kappa B in cerebral vascular smooth muscle: Relation to alcohol-induced brain injury in rats Burton M Altura · Asefa Gebrewold · Aimin Zhang · Bella T Altura
39. Hydroxyurea therapy associated with declining serum levels of magnesium in children with sickle cell anemia Rachel A Altura · Winfred C Wang · Lynn Wynn · Burton M Altura ·Bella T Altura
40. Optical spectroscopy and prevention of deleterious cerebral vascular effects of ethanol by magnesium ions Randall L Barbour · Asefa Gebrewold · Bella T Altura · Burton M Altura