Faculty

 

 

 

 

Michael J. Kenney
Director, Graduate Programs

PhD, Exercise Physiology, University of Iowa, 1988

Phone (785) 532-4513
e-mail kenny@vet.k-state.edu

 

 

 

 

 

Research Interests:

The long-term objective of the research in our laboratory is to determine how sympathetic nerve regulation is altered by pathophysiological states, environmental and immune stress, and aging. Recent work completed in this laboratory supports the concept that central sympathetic neural networks regulate three important functional characteristics of efferent sympathetic nerve discharge: 1) the basal level of activity, 2) the bursting pattern, and 3) the relationships between discharges in regionally-selective sympathetic nerves. By altering these functional characteristics, the sympathetic nervous system plays a critical role in maintaining physiological homeostasis and mediating physiological responses to acute physical stress. Current experiments are designed to determine central neural mechanisms involved in regulating efferent sympathetic nerve outflow. A more complete understanding of the organization of central sympathetic neural circuits is critical for determining the role of the sympathetic nervous system in physiological regulation and disease processes.

Selected Publications:

Helwig BG, RA Craig, RJ Fels, F Blecha, and MJ Kenney. Central nervous system administration of interleukin-6 produces splenic sympathoexcitation. Submitted, 2008.

Barman SM and MJ Kenney. Methods of analysis and physiological relevance of rhythms in sympathetic nerve discharge. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 34: 350-355, 2007.

Helwig BG, TI Musch, RA Craig, and MJ Kenney. Increased interleukin-6 receptor expression in the paraventricular nucleus of rats with heart failure. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 292: R1165-R1173, 2007.

Ganta CK, BG Helwig, F Blecha, RR Ganta, R Cober, S Parimi, TI Musch, RJ Fels, and MJ Kenney. Hypothermia-enhanced splenic cytokine gene expression is independent of the sympathetic nervous system. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 291: R558-565, 2006.

Helwig BG, S Parimi, CK Ganta, R Cober, RJ Fels, and MJ Kenney. Aging alters regulation of visceral sympathetic nerve responses to acute hypothermia. Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol 291: R573-R579, 2006.

Ganta CK, N. Lu, F. Blecha, R.R. Ganta, L. Zheng, R.J. Fels, and M.J. Kenney. Central angiotensin II-enhanced splenic cytokine gene expression is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 289: H1683-H1691, 2005.

Ganta C.K., F. Blecha, R.R. Ganta, B.G. Helwig, S. Parimi, N. Lu, R.J. Fels, T.I. Musch, and M.J. Kenney. Hyperthermia-enhanced splenic cytokine gene expression is mediated by the sympathetic nervous system. Physiological Genomics 19: 175-183, 2004.

Kenney, M.J. and T.I. Musch. Senescence alters blood flow responses to acute heat stress. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 286: H1480-H1485, 2004.