Personal Statement

My Laboratory of Vascular Physiology & Medicine works on understanding of vascular diseases through their complex mechanisms. My works devoted to shape vascular integrity and find out some innovative approaches which may improve the quality of human life or sufferings. I have made some impact contributions on understanding of experimentally induced hypoxia and cell signaling mechanism during heavy metal induced stress and alteration of vascular integrity using an animal as well as human models. One of my recent works showed the link between the divalent heavy metals (Pb and Ni) and oxygen sensing mechanisms through hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) that regulate sympathetic overdrives and ROS generation (Das et al 2016). Currently, my works are focused on the HIF-1 α dependent responses to hypoxia along with calcium channel blockers and vitamin C supplementation in vascular responses to ischemia that are associated with aging, diabetes and other cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders. Under the supervision of me in my ‘Laboratory of Vascular Physiology & Medicine’ has established the modified middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) technique to induce cerebral ischemia and stroke on rats which is a complex experiment and few Indian research institutes are capable to work on it ( www.bldeuniversity.ac.in ). My research also substantiates multidisciplinary approach towards metal induce alteration of protein synthesis and changing scenario of endothelial functions and role of antioxidants which provide new idea of research in vascular sciences. My works on understanding of molecular mechanisms of heavy metal activated hypoxia-inducible pathway and facilitates selection of cells with altered transcriptional activity of hypoxia-inducible genes through i-NOS pathway or finally an expression of VEGF gene are recognized by the leading physicians and scientists who works on hypoxia. Beside these experimental works my works on groundwater arsenic and fluoride toxicities are also recognized by the scientific community. I was one among the first in the world to establish the link between arsenic toxicities and gold mining activities which made a tremendous impact on Government policy on environmental issues in Karnataka state, India. The invention of a new methodology to estimate vitamin-E concentration in blood is a noteworthy research contribution of mine. My works are cited in WHO references, EPA-USA, International Union of Pure & Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) etc. My H-Index is 21.

Positions and Honors

1986 – 1989 UGC Junior Research Fellow Department of Physiology, University of Calcutta, India
1989 – 1991 Lecturer in Physiology, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka, India
1991 – 1996 Assistant Professor of Physiology, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka
1996 – 2001 Associate Professor of Physiology, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka
2001 – 2006 Addl. Professor of Physiology, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka
2006 – 2013 Professor of Physiology, Al Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, Karnataka, India. Also Honorary Professor of Physiology, Al Ameen Dental College, Bijapur, Karnataka [1992-21.06.2013]
2013 – Present Professor of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, BLDE University, Bijapur, Karnataka
2014 – 16 Visiting Professor, School of Medicine, University of Leeds, UK
2017 – Visiting Professor, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA

Awards

2019 – “G.P.Chatterjee Memorial Award 2019” by ISCA, DST, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India on January 3, 2019
2018 – “Silver Jubilee Oration 2018” by KIMS Deemed to be University, Karad, Maharashtra on 6th. March 2018
2018 – Fellow of Royal Society of Biology (United Kingdom) by The Royal Society of Biology, London.
2017 – “Dr.Jajneswar Chakraborty Memorial Oration 2017” by Bengal Obstetrics & Gynecological Society,Kolkata ( July 8, 2017)
2017 – Visiting Professor – Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, USA
2016 – Science, Honor and Truth Medal by IIPH-Zubieta University, La Paz, Bolivia
2016 – Shri S.N.Chaudary Memorial Research Prize by Association of Physiologists of India, JIPMER
2015 – Dr.Raja Ramanna State Scientist Award 2013 by Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka on 30th Dec 2015
2015 – MCRC-Research Lecture by Multidisciplinary Cardiovascular Research Centre, the University of Leeds on 31st.July 2015.
2016 – Shri Dev Raj Bajaj Research Prize by Association of Physiologists and Pharmacologists of India
2014 – Best Researcher Award -2014 by BLDE University at 2nd University convocation (2014).
2012 – Dr.C.R.Krishnamurthy Memorial Oration Award 2011 by The Indian Association of Biomedical Scientists, India
2012 – COPE International Scholarship 2012 by Committee on Publication Ethics, London
2011 – Prof.S.R.Maitra Memorial Oration Award-2010 by The Physiological Society of India
2003 – Prof.Shakuntala Dasgupta Memorial Oration Award by The Physiological Society of India

Editorial

2018 – Editorial Adviser- Environmental Sciences; Cambridge Scholars Publishing (www.cambridgescholars.com)
2016 – Present Editor in Chief- BLDE University Journal of Health Sciences (Wolters Kluwer Pvt Ltd, ISSN 2456-1975 ) (www.bldeujournalhs.in)
2013 – Present International Advisor: International Journal of Clinical & Experimental Physiology, Wolter- Kluwert. (http://www.ijcep.org/editorialboard.asp)
2016 – Present National Adviser; Indian Journal of Health Sciences 9Wolters Kluer Ltd)
2011 – Present Editorial Member- Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology & Pharmacology ( de-Gruyter, Berlin) since 2011 (http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/jbcpp)
2009 – Present Editorial Member- Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine Medicine[Elsevier/Singapore]
2008 – Present Editorial Member- Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine[Elsevier/China]. [IF.1.93]

Committee Appointments

2018 – Member: International Program Management under UNESCO Chair (Life Sciences) for UNESCO/UNITWIN PhD Program program in Biophysics, Biotechnology and Biotechnology.
2016 – Present Vice President- The Physiological Society of India
2016 – Present Member PhD Registration Committee, Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore
2015 – Present Member (Education Committee) International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS).
2015 – Present Research Adviser, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences Deemed University, Karad, India
2015 – Present Member, Postgraduate Board of Studies (Preclinical), Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore
2013 – Present Member of Ph.D. Committee, BLDE University, India

Contribution to Science

The research works throughout my professional career demonstrate a logical progression step by step of scientific advancement culminating at the present stage. These scientific contributions are listed below in chronological order which clearly demonstrate the advancement of investigative efforts from initial quest of understanding the physiological regulations of heavy metal induced alteration of pathophysiology of functional systems to current exploration of vascular physiology in both human and experimental designs.

I. Effect of heavy metals on physiological systems in rats during Protein Restriction or antioxidant supplementations

• We have shown that the organism depends essentially on dietary protein that directly or indirectly regulates biochemical processes. The exposure of nickel sulfate adversely affects the expression of genetic information by reducing DNA, RNA, and protein concentration in the testes of albino rats fed normal protein and protein restricted diets. We have also proved that heavy metals induce oxidative stress is protected by antioxidant defense systems like l-ascorbic acid or alpha tocopherols.

Citations:

• Das KK, Gupta AD, Dhundasi SA, Patil AM, Das SN, Ambekar JG.(2007). Protective role of L-ascorbic acid on antioxidant defense system in erythrocytes of albino rats exposed to nickel sulfate.. Biometals; 20(2):177-84. [IF -2.503]
• Patil AJ, Bhagwat VR, Patil JA, Dongre NN, Ambekar JG, Jailkhani R, Das KK.(2006).Effect of lead (Pb) exposure on the activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in battery manufacturing workers (BMW) of Western Maharashtra (India) with reference to heme biosynthesis Int J Environ Res Public Health; 3(4):329-37. [IF-2.063]
• Das KK, Dasgupta S.(2002). Effect of nickel sulfate on testicular steroidogenesis in rats during protein restriction.. Environ Health Perspect; 110(9):923-6. [IF- 7.977]

II. Effect of low oxygen sensing on human and experimental animals with or without heavy metals.

Restriction of oxygen induces inhibition of prolyl hydroxylase and accumulation of HIF-1α which in turn translocates to the nucleus to form a heterodimer with HIF-1β. Chronic hypoxia stimulates both KLF6 and NF-κB gene expressions and it reduces KLF4 which further enhances8 iNOS expression. Over expression of iNOS leads to rise in NO production and increase formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO–).Both hypoxia and heavy metal (lead) stimulate HIF-1α pathways for cellular adaptability. Excessive nitrite generations due to over expression of i-NOS through HIF-1α either by lead acetate or hypoxia exposure or simultaneously exposure of both heavy metal (Pb) and chronic hypoxia causes cytotoxicities by alteration of cell metabolism. The supplementation of vitamin C was found beneficial to counteract both and hypoxia and metal induced cytotoxicities by generation of oxidative and nitrosative stress.

Citations:

• Das KK, Nemegouda SR, Patil SG, Saha S (2016). Possible Hypoxia Signaling Induced Alteration of Glucose Homeostasis in Rats Exposed to Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia – Role of Antioxidant (Vitamin C) and Ca2+ Channel Blocker (Cilnidipine) Current Signal Transduction Therapy 11 (1), 1-6. [IF.0.50]
• Das KK, Saha S.(2014) Hypoxia, Lead Toxicities and Oxidative stress: Molecular interactions and antioxidant (Vitamin C) defense Current Signaling Transduction & Therapy; 9: 113-122 [IF.0.50]
• Patil SG, Aithala MR, Das KK.(2015). Effect of Yoga on Arterial Stiffness in Elderly Subjects with Increased Pulse Pressure: A Randomized Controlled Study. Complement Ther Med.;23(4):562-9. [IF.2.22]
• Hattiwale SH, Saha S, Yendigeri SM, Jargar JG, Dhundasi SA, Das KK (2013). Protective effect of L-ascorbic acid on nickel-induced pulmonary nitrosative stress in male albino rats. Biometals, 26(2), 329-336 [IF-2.503]

III. Environmental ground water contamination and health

This study report on arsenic level in ground water in Yadgir district of Karnataka is considered as one of the first to describe overt arsenicosis in such an area as well as in this region of Karnataka, India. Based on the time-course of As-like symptoms reported by the community as well as the presence of overt arsenicosis, we have hypothesized that the primary route of exposure in the study area was via contaminated groundwater; however, our findings of high As content in residential soil could also be a significant source of As exposure via ingestion. Our reports on ground water fluoride concentration and its health impact is also received appreciations.

Citations:

• Ugran V,Desai N, Chakraborti D,Masali K, Mantur P,Kulkarni S,Deshmukh N,Chadchan C,Das KK (2016). Groundwater Fluoride Contamination and its Possible Health Implications in Indi Taluk of Vijayapura District (Karnataka State), India. Env Geochem Health, Accepted [IF-3.00]
• Chakraborti D, Rahman MM, Murrill M, Das R, Siddayya, Patil SG, Sarkar A, Dadapeer H J, Yendigeri SM, Ahmed R, Das KK. (2013). Environmental arsenic contamination and its health effects in a historic gold mining area of the Mangalur greenstone belt of Northeastern Karnataka, India. J Hazard Mater; 15; 262:1048-55 . [IF-5.643]

IV. Invention of new method of estimation of serum alpha tocopherol

Citations:

• Das KK, Jargar JG, Hattiwale SH, Yendigeri SM, Das S, Dhundasi SA (2013). Serum Vitamin E (alpha-Tocopherol) Estimation. A Potential Biomarker of Antioxidant Status Evaluation on Heavy Metal Toxicities. Recent Patents on Biomarkers ; 3:36-43.
• Jargar JG, Hattiwale SH, Das S, Dhundasi SA, Das KK (2012). A modified simple method for determination of serum α-tocopherol (vitamin E). J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol; 23(1):45-8.

V. Vascular Physiology and Medicine

Citations:

• Das KK, Yendigeri SM, Patil BS, Bagoji IB, Reddy RC, Bagali S, Biradar MS, Saha S (2018). Subchronic hypoxia pretreatment on brain pathophysiology in unilateral common carotid artery occluded albino rats. Indian J Pharmacol ;50: DOI: 10.4103/ijp.IJP_312_17 (IF-0.902)
• Das KK, Chadchan KS, Reddy RC, Biradar MS, Kanthe P, Patil BS, Ambekar JG,Bagoji IB, Das S (2017). Effects of some indigenous plants of north Karnataka (India) on cardiovascular and glucose regulatory systems in diabetic rats. Cardiovasc Heamatol Agents Med Chem; DOI: 10.2174/1871525715666170712121347
• Patil SG, Patil SS, Aithala MR, Das KK(2017). Comparison of yoga and walking-exercise on cardiac time intervals as a measure of cardiac function in elderly with increased pulse pressure. Indian Heart Journal , DOI:10.1016/j.ihj.2017.02.006
• Das KK, Razzaghi-Asl N.; Tikare SN, Di Santo R, Costi R; Messore A; Pescatori L; Crucitti GC; Jargar JG; Dhundasi SA; Saso L. Hypoglycemic activity of curcumin synthetic analogues in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem 2016;31(1):99-105 (IF-4.89)