# Mentoring in cholinergic regulation of vascular oxidation

> **NIH NIH K24** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $115,983

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
 This K24 proposal will provide protected time for Dr. Cyndya Shibao to deliver high-quality mentoring to
post-doctoral and junior faculty investigators at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In this regard, she
proposes a comprehensive and dedicated mentoring plan that will facilitate the effective transition of her
mentees into independent academic careers. Her application includes an across-the-board strategy to
augment her training through acquisition of advanced skills in mentoring, training in diversity, leadership, and
strategic planning. In addition, her research plan includes a cross-collaboration with members of the Feinstein
Institute of Bioelectronic Medicine to acquire additional expertise in vagus nerve stimulation, which is
thematically link to her current studies on parasympathetic cholinergic regulation of vascular oxidation.
 Endothelial dysfunction, a pro-thrombotic, inflammatory condition that causes impaired vascular reactivity is
an early reversible step in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Multiple
studies consistently shown that African Americans (AAs) have impaired endothelial function compared to
whites. African Americans also experience disproportionately higher CV morbidity and 20% higher mortality
than whites or Hispanics. Endothelial dysfunction is caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species
(ROS), particularly superoxide which interferes with endothelial-derived nitric oxide signaling pathways. One of
the major sources of superoxide is NADPH oxidase; our previous work found that activation of NADPH oxidase
contributes to vascular oxidation through immune cell activation. It is well-known that inflammation and
oxidative stress are modulated by the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). Dr. Shibao and others
found that AAs have reduced PNS activity compared with whites. Currently, her funded studies are
focused on the effect of central acetylcholinesterase inhibition, which increases cholinergic activity, on vascular
oxidative stress in this population. For this K24 application, she will expand these studies to determine if trans-
auricular vagus nerve stimulation (TaVNS), another intervention that stimulates PNS, prevents immune cell
activation, reduces markers of vascular oxidation in harvested endothelial cells and improve endothelial
function as measured by flow-mediated dilation. The planned studies will provide a comprehensive
assessment of the mechanism underlying the effect of increased PNS transmission on vascular oxidation and
inflammation, which precedes endothelial dysfunction in African Americans. Furthermore, these studies will
provide ample training opportunities for Dr. Shibao’s mentees in the area of cholinergic regulation of vascular
oxidation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10831065
- **Project number:** 5K24HL165163-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Cyndya Adriana Shibao
- **Activity code:** K24 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $115,983
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-04-20 → 2028-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10831065

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10831065, Mentoring in cholinergic regulation of vascular oxidation (5K24HL165163-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10831065. Licensed CC0.

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