Robert W. Gore
Professor of Physiology and Cell Biology and Anatomy
Ph. D., University of Iowa, Iowa City
Teaching Areas-
E-mail: gore@email.arizona.edu
Research Interest:
Microvascular regulation and exchange
The major research efforts of Dr. Gore's laboratory are designed to define quantitatively how physical and mechanical parameters in the microcirculation influence and determine whole-organ regulatory and exchange functions.
Three major projects are currently funded by the NIH to study two organ systems. The first project is an in vivo study of the mechanisms responsible for pressure induced regional microvascular response gradients in the hamster cheek pouch. A new cheek pouch preparation developed in this laboratory, and an adaptation of the "Wiederhielm box-method" are used to test in vivo the validity of an hypothesis developed in this laboratory that explains the origin of vascular response gradients in terms of the length-tension properties of vascular smooth muscle. An in vitro study on single arterioles isolated from the cheek pouch using a state-of-the-art microvessel perfusion system is also a part of this project. The purpose of the in vitro study is to obtain a quantitative expression for the relationship between the degree of smooth muscle shortening in folded arteriolar walls and changes in "functional internal radius". Exact, quantitative data are presently unavailable and are needed to transpose in vitro microvascular measurements of cell shortening into a quantitative expression for in vivo microvascular resistance changes.
The second project is designed to deduce the mechanisms of the veno-arteriolar reflex response in the microcirculation of the rat intestine. The improved "Wiederhielm box-method" is employed to identify and compare the myogenic and neurogenic components of the reflex, and to determine how they are modulated in the microcirculation by the initial length-tension states of arterioles and by flow-dependent factors. Parallel studies on single, isolated intestinal arterioles are also performed using the microperfusion system.
The third project is a long-term project to study the fluid exchange parameters in single capillaries of the mesentery, muscle, and mucosal microcirculations of the intestine. Some studies have also been done in skeletal muscle in this laboratory. The results of studies from this project have provided many new insights into our understanding of regional and functional differences in intestinal fluid balance and the physical, mechanical, and physiological factors that determine intestinal function.
Selected Publications:
Guilford WH, Gore RW (1992) A novel, remote-sensing, isometric force transducer for micro-mechanics studies. Am J Physiol 263:C700-C707.
Sweeney TE, Rozum JS, Desjardius C and Gore RW (1991) Microvascular pressure distribution in the hamster testis. Amer J Physiol 260:H1581-H1589.
Baldwin AL, Gore RW (1989) Simultaneous measurement of capillary distensibility and hydraulic conductance. Microvasc Res 38:1-22.
Davis MJ and Gore RW (1989) Lengthp;tension relationship of vascular smooth muscle in single arterioles. Am J Physiol 256: H630p;H640.
Gore RW (1982) Fluid exchange across single capillaries in rat intestinal muscle. Am J Physiol 242: H268-H287.
