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Pharmacology and Toxicology
Michael Widlansky, MD, MPH

Michael E. Widlansky, MD, MPH

Northwestern Mutual Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine and Pharmacology; Director of the Cardiovascular Center

Contact Information

Education

MD, University of Michigan, 1999

Research Experience

  • Aging
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Diabetes Complications
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2
  • endothelial function
  • Endothelium-Dependent Relaxing Factors
  • Exercise
  • Hypertension
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Nitric Oxide

Clinical Expertise

  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Echocardiography

Methodologies and Techniques

  • arterial tonometry
  • digital pulse amplitude tonometry
  • flow mediate dilation
  • Microbubbles
  • Microscopy, Video
  • Plethysmography
  • Ultrasonography

Leadership Positions

  • Associate Fellowship Director, Cardiovascular Diseases
  • Chair, Human Research Affairs Committee
  • Member, Continuing Medical Education Committee
  • Member, Reserach Affairs Committee
  • Research Director, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

MCW Program / Core Facilities

  • Human Vascular Translational Reserach Core

Research Interests

The vascular endothelium, once thought to be a thin layer of quiescent cells present only to allow smooth, laminar blood flow has discovered to be a central regulator of vascular homeostasis. Both traditional and novel cardiovascular risk factors have been shown to induce the endothelium to take on a phenotype characterized by inflammation, pro-thrombotic stimuli, and vasoconstriction. This state of endothelial “dysfunction” has been shown to precede the development of atherosclerosis and portend cardiovascular events in both those with and without clinically evident cardiovascular disease. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) has been shown to be a central paracrine hormone in the maintenance of normal endothelial function, and a central characteristic of endothelial dysfunction is a reduction in bioavailable EDNO. Measuring EDNO bioavailability in larger conduit vessels and in the microvasculature in vivo can be accomplished by multiple modalities, including high-resolution vascular ultrasound and venous plethysmography. We employ these methodologies to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the development of endothelial dysfunction in humans with a variety of disease states, including coronary artery disease and diabetes. Currently, we are investigating the role of disturbances in mitochondrial homeostasis in the modulation of vascular endothelial function in humans with Type II Diabetes. Many of our studies are small, clinical studies that apply different interventions to humans to assess their effects on vascular endothelial function, based on basic and animal work suggesting potential mechanisms for such a difference. Current protocols along this line include investigating the differential effects on vascular function of metformin and glipizide in Type II Diabetics. Our human vascular research laboratory has been formed to foster collaboration with investigators from other disciplines interested in the impact of vascular function on disease states relevant to their fields of interest. Current collaborative efforts include work with investigators from disciplines including Orthopedics, Dermatology, Geriatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology, and Pediatric Cardiology.

Publications

Publications of Michael E. Widlansky MD from the Faculty Collaboration Database

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