Zhi-Qing Zhao, MD, PhD

Education

• MD, Shanxi Medical University
• MS, Shanxi Medical University
• PhD, The Fourth Military’s Medical University
• Postdoctoral, Wake Forest Medical School of Medicine

Research Interest

Dr. Zhao’s research focuses on inflammatory mechanisms of ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial injury, cardioprotection with mechanical pre- and post-conditioning pharmacological interventions, and myocardial tissue repair with modulation of extracellular matrix and endogenous stem cells. He also studies angiotensin II-mediated cardiac fibrosis and heart failure.

Selected Publications

• Zhao Z-Q, Corvera JS, Halkos ME, Kerendi F, Wang N-P, Guyton RA, Vinten-Johansen J. (2003) Inhibition of myocardial injury by ischemic post-conditioning during reperfusion: comparison with ischemic preconditioning. Am J Physiol. 285:H579-H588.
• Zhang LH, Pang XF, Bai F, Wang NP, Shah AI, McKallip RJ, Li XW, Wang X, Zhao Z-Q. (2015). Preservation of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Level Attenuates Angiotensin II-Induced Tissue Fibrosis by Altering AT1/AT 2 Receptor Expression and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 Activity in Rat Heart. Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 29:243-255.
• Bai F, Pang XF, Zhang LH, Wang NP, McKallip RJ, Garner RE, Zhao Z-Q. (2016). Angiotensin II AT1 receptor alters ACE2 activity, eNOS expression and CD44-hyaluronan interaction in rats with hypertension and myocardial fibrosis. Life Sci. 153:141-152.
• Wang NP, Erskine J, Zhang WW, Zheng RH, Zhang LH, Duron G, Gendreau J, Zhao Z-Q. (2017). Recruitment of macrophages from the spleen contributes to myocardial fibrosis and hypertension induced by angiotensin II. J Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone Syst. 18:14703.
  Wang ZF, Wang NP, Harmouche S, Philip T, Pang XF, Bai F, Zhao Z-Q. (2017).
• Postconditioning attenuates coronary perivascular and interstitial fibrosis through modulating angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 after myocardial infarction. J Surg Res. 211:178-190.
• Zhang WW, Bai F, Wang J, Zheng RH, Yang LW, James E, Zhao Z-Q. (2017). Edaravone inhibits pressure overload-induced cardiac fibrosis and dysfunction by reducing expression of angiotensin II AT I receptor. Drug Des Devel Ther. 11:3019-3033.
• Yang LW, Qin DZ, James E, McKallip RJ, Wang NP, Zhang WW, Zheng RH, Han QH, Zhao Z-Q. (2019). CD44 deficiency in mice protects the heart against angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis. Shock. 51:372-380.
• Zheng RH, Bai XJ, Zhang WW, WangJ, Bai F, Yan CP, James EA, Bose HS, Wang NP, Zhao Z-Q. (2019). Liraglutide attenuates cardiac remodeling and improves heart function after abdominal aortic constriction through blocking angiotensin II type 1 receptor in rats. Drug Des Devel Ther. 13:2745-2757.
• Bai F, Zhang LH, Zhang WW, Zheng RH, Eskew JR, Bennett J, Wang NP, Bose HS, Zhao Z-Q. (2020). Conservation of glucagon like peptide-1 level with liraglutide and linagilptin protects the kidney against angiotensin II-induced tissue fibrosis in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 867:172844.
• Zhang WW, Zheng RH, Bai F, Sturdivant K, Wang NP, James EA, Bose HS, Zhao Z-Q. (2020). Steroidogenic acute regulatory protein/aldosterone synthase mediates angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. Mol Biol Rep. 47:1207-1222.
• Bai F, Yang GZ, Eskew JR, Wang NP, Bose HS, Zhao Z-Q. (2020). Antagonism of angiotensin II AT1 receptor and silencing of CD44 gene expression inhibit cardiac fibroblast activation via modulating TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology. 11:123-139.
• Zheng RH, Zhang WW, Ji YN, Bai XJ, Yan CP, Wang J, Bai F Zhao, Z-Q. (2020). Exogenous supplement of glucagon like peptide-1 protects the heart against aortic banding induced myocardial fibrosis and dysfunction through inhibiting mTOR/p70S6K signaling and promoting autophagy. Eur J Pharmacol. 883:173318.

Grants

• Role of toll-like receptors in angiotensin II-mediated maladaptive tissue repair after myocardial infarction
  Source: Medcen Community Health Foundation
  Position: Principal Investigator
  Dates: 10/2013-09/2014
  Direct Costs: $20,000
• Long-term evaluation of the epicardial lesions and device annular in a canine model occlusion
  Source: Atricure, Inc.
  Position: Principal Investigator
  Dates: 12/2007-12/2008
  Direct Costs: $140,544
• Manifestations and mechanisms of myocyte cell death during early and late phases of reperfusion
  Source: NIH (RO1)
  Position: Principal Investigator
  Dates: 9/1/00-8/30/05
  Direct Costs: $896,000
• Adenosine cardioprotection from neutrophil-mediated injury during early vs. late phase of reperfusion
  Source: National American Heart Association (Scientist Development Award)
  Position: Principal Investigator
  Dates: 1/1/97 – 12/30/02
  Direct Costs: $283,400
• Cardioprotection by endogenous adenosine during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion
  Source: American Heart Association (North Carolina Affiliate)
  Position: Principal Investigator
  Dates: 7/1/94 – 6/30/96
  Direct Costs: $50,000

Professional Involvement

Contact Dr. Zhi-Qing Zhao

zhao_z@mercer.edu