Ronald L. Terjung , Ph.D.

Professor of Physiology, and Associate Chair, Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine TerjungR@missouri.edu

Research Interests
Exercise Physiology, Skeletal muscle, Energy metabolism, Vascular remodeling, Exercise responses and Training adaptations.

Adenine nucleotide (AdN = ATP + ADP + AMP) metabolism occupies a pivotal role in cell regulation, particularly for skeletal muscle where con-tractile

activity increases ATP hydrolysis rate many fold. The control of [ATP] in con-tract-ing muscle depends upon: 1) the control of energy supply pathways; 2) AdN degradation reactions; 3) AdN synthesis reactions from precursors; and 4) contrac-tile activity which determines the rate of ATP hydrolysis. We are evaluating differences in AdN metabolism among skeletal muscle fiber types, critical responses to exer-cise, and adaptations induced by chronic exercise. 

Enhanced physical activity represents an important treatment for persons with peri-pheral arterial insufficiency and leads to meaningful adaptations that increase exercise tolerance. These adaptations include neovascular development to improve a) blood/tissue exchange properties within muscle (enhanced capillarity) and b) flow capacity to active muscle (collateral vessel expansion).  The exercise-induced increase in collateral blood flow likely involves the angiogenic growth factors (e.g., bFGF, VEGF, angiopoietin). These potent cytokines stimulate neovascularization in experimental ischemia in vivo. Our working hypothesis is that neovascularization occurs in response to tissue 'need' established by flow deficits (ischemia) and/or by increased demands for vascular support (exercise). Our research is evaluating: 1) the interactions between ischemia, exercise and exogenously infused recombinant angiogenic growth factors; 2) the functional significance of the vascular adaptations; and 3) the tissue events related to neovascularization. 

Professional Background

• Earned Ph.D., Department of Physiology, University of Iowa
• NIH Postdoctoral Trainee, Washington University School of Medicine
• National Academy of Sciences Foreign Exchange Awardee
• NIH Research Career Development Awardee
• Fogarty International Fellow
• Honorary Doctorate, Conferred by the Medical Academy, Bialystok Poland
• NIH Merit Awardee
• Cybulski Medal for Scientific Distinction, Polish Physiological Society
• Citation Award, American College of Sports Medicine
• Presidential Lecture, American College of Sports Medicine
• Served as Assoc. Editor/Editor, J. Appl. Physiol. and Exercise & Sport Sciences Reviews
• Service on NIH Study Sections and Scientific Review Panels
• Research supported by the NIH Institutes, NIAMS and NHLBI

Selected Publications

• Brault, J.J., K.A. Abraham, and R.L. Terjung. Creatine muscle uptake and creatine transporter expression in response to creatine supplementation and depletion. J. Appl. Physiol.: 94:2173-2180, 2003.
• Abraham, K.A., J.J. Brault, and R.L. Terjung. Phosphate uptake and PiT-1 protein expression in rat skeletal muscle. Am. J. Physiol. (Cell Physiol.): 287:C73 C78, 2004.
• Abraham, K.A., R.L. Terjung. Phosphate uptake in rat skeletal muscle is reduced during contractions. J. Appl. Physiol. J. Appl. Physiol.
  97:57-62, 2004.
• Prior, B.M., H.T. Yang, and R.L. TERJUNG. What makes vessels grow with exercise training? J. Appl. Physiol. 97:1119-1128, 2004.
• Prior, B.M., P.G. Lloyd, H.T. Yang, and R.L. Terjung. Time-course of changes in collateral blood flow, and isolated vessel size and gene regulation following femoral artery occlusion in the rat. Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiol.): 287:H2434-H2447, 2004.
• Lloyd, P.G., B.M. Prior, H. Li, H.T. Yang and R.L. Terjung. VEGF receptor antagonism inhibits arteriogenesis, but only partially inhibits angiogenesis in skeletal muscle of exercising rats. Am. J. Physiol. (Heart Circ. Physiol.): 287:H000-H000, 2005. (10.1152/ajpheart.00786.2004).
   

Methodologies/Techniques