PhD defence: Unraveling Peripheral and Cerebral Blood Flow Regulation in Health and Hypertension
How Exercise, Anthocyanins, and Oxygen Shape Human Vascular Function
Marcos Paulo Rocha
PhD thesis
PhD candidate Marcos Paulo Rocha will defend his thesis on the regulation of vascular function under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, with a particular focus on oxygen and carbon dioxide sensitivity as well as the role of non-pharmacological interventions. His work integrates cerebrovascular and peripheral vascular physiology to explore region-specific responses to gas perturbations, nutritional supplementation, and exercise training.
The thesis comprises five studies. Two experimental studies investigate cerebral vascular responses during isocapnic hypoxia and hyperoxia, revealing key modulatory roles of KATP channels and arterial CO₂ in controlling cerebral blood flow and metabolism. Two intervention studies examine the effects of anthocyanins and Lactobacillus plantarum in individuals with essential hypertension, demonstrating improved blood pressure and arterial distensibility independent of vascular endothelial or autonomic changes. A final study evaluates the long-term effects of endurance training in healthy individuals and finds no systemic adaptations in non-exercised limbs.
Together, these findings deepen our understanding of regional vascular regulation and highlight the nuanced effects of non-pharmacological strategies on vascular health. The defense will be of interest to researchers in integrative physiology, cardiovascular health, and translational vascular medicine.
2025, 219 pages.
Time
7 August 2025, 10:00
Place
Aud. 1, August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen.
Opponents
Associate Professor Rasmus Kjøbsted (chair), Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Professor Kerrie Moreau, University of Colorado, USA.
Managing director and chairman Finn Okkels, ActaBio ApS, Denmark.
Main supervisor
Associate Professor Lasse Gliemann, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
Co-supervisor
Professor Ylva Hellsten, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.