Research:

My laboratory focuses on the adverse health effects caused by exogenous and endogenous toxins that play major role in the pathogenesis of many degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, vascular inflammation and diabetes. In line with this research, we are studying the molecular mechanisms and the pharmacological agents/novel bioactive compounds to target toxin-mediated pathogenesis. Our approaches include cell- and molecular biology techniques, and different animal models. In a recent NIH funded project, we are investigating the molecular mechanisms involved in the protective action of soy flavonoid genistein against proinflammatory cytokine TNF-alpha-induced vascular dysfunction. Based on our hypothesis driven research, we attempt to investigate if genistein acts through cAMP/PKA/ NFκB pathway.

Recent Publications:

Si H, Fu Z, Babu PV, Zhen W, Leroith T, Meaney MP, Voelker KA, Jia Z, Grange RW, Liu D. Dietary Epicatechin Promotes Survival of Obese Diabetic Mice and Drosophila melanogaster. J Nutr. 141(6):1095-100, 2011.

Zimmerman RP, Jia Z, Zhu H, Vandjelovic N, Misra HP, Wang J, Li Y. Induction of Oxidative DNA Damage by Mesalamine in the Presence of Copper: A Potential Mechanism for Mesalamine Anticancer Activity. Toxicology 27; 280(3):71-6, 2011

Jia Z, Zhu H, Li Y, Misra HP. Potent Inhibition of Peroxynitrite-induced DNA Strand Breakage and Hydroxyl Radical Formation by DMSO at Very Low Concentrations. Exp Biol Med, 235(5):614-22, 2010.

Fuo Z, Zhang W, Zhen W, Lum H, Nadler J, Bassaganya-Riera J, Jia Z, Wang Y, Misra H, Liu D. Genistein Induces Pancreatic Cell Proliferation through Activation of Multiple Signaling Pathways and Prevents Insulin-Deficient Diabetes in Mice. Endocrinology, 151(7):3026-37, 2010.

Jia Z, Zhu H, Vitto MJ, Misra BR, Li Y, Misra HP. Alpha-lipoic acid potently inhibits peroxynitrite-mediated DNA strand breakage and hydroxyl radical formation: implications for the neuroprotective effects of alpha-lipoic acid. Mol Cell Biochem, 323(1-2):131-8, 2009.

Chen W, Zhu H, Jia Z, Misra HP, Zhou K, Li Y. Inhibition of peroxynitrite-mediated DNA strand cleavage and hydroxyl radical formation by aspirin at pharmacologically relevant concentrations: implications for cancer intervention. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 4;390(1):142-7, 2009

Jia Z, Misra BR, Zhu H, Li Y, Misra HP. Upregulation of cellular glutathione by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione as a possible treatment strategy for protecting against acrolein-induced neurocytotoxicity. Neurotoxicology, 30(1):1-9, 2009.

Jia Z, Zhu H, Trush MA, Misra HP, Li Y. Generation of superoxide from reaction of 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione with thiols: implications for dithiolethione chemoprotection. Mol Cell Biochem, 307:185-191, 2008.

Zhu H, Jia Z, Misra BR, Zhang L, Cao Z, Yamamoto M, Trush MA, Misra HP, Li Y. Nuclear factor E2-related factor 2-dependent myocardiac cytoprotection against oxidative and electrophilic stress. Cardiovasc Toxicol, 8:71-85, 2008.

Jia Z, Zhu H, Misra HP, Li Y. Potent induction of total cellular GSH and NQO1 as well as mitochondrial GSH by 3H-1,2-dithiole-3-thione in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and primary human neurons: protection against neurocytotoxicity elicited by dopamine, 6-hydroxydopamine, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, or hydrogen peroxide. Brain Res, 1197:159-169, 2008.

Jia Z, Hallur S, Zhu H, Li Y, Misra HP. Potent upregulation of glutathione and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 by alpha-lipoic acid in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells: protection against neurotoxicant-elicited cytotoxicity. Neurochem Res 33:790-800, 2008.

Jia Z, Misra HP. Exposure to mixtures of endosulfan and zineb induces apoptotic and necrotic cell death in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, in vitro. J Appl Toxicol 27:434-446, 2007.

Jia Z, Misra HP. Developmental exposure to pesticides zineb and/or endosulfan renders the nigrostriatal dopamine system more susceptible to these environmental chemicals later in life. Neurotoxicology 28:727-735, 2007.

Jia Z, Misra HP. Reactive oxygen species in in vitro pesticide-induced neuronal cell (SH-SY5Y) cytotoxicity: role of NFkappaB and caspase-3. Free Radic Biol Med 42:288-298, 2007.

Classes:

Environmental Health Science II

Contact:

321 Sullivan Science Building
(336) 256-0078