Exercise and Cardiometabolic Health
The overall goal of our laboratory is to study innovative and precision rehabilitation strategies to enhance cardiometabolic health. Through our studies, we aim to determine how exercise mode, frequency, intensity and concomitant therapies (nutritional/pharmacologic/gene therapy) modulate physiologic and molecular mediators of cardiometabolic function, primarily focusing on substrate (e.g. amino acid, glucose, fatty acid) metabolism, energetic, and functional abnormalities in skeletal muscle and heart. We study metabolic diseases including Barth syndrome and other pediatric and adult cardiomyopathies, HIV-related metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and obesity. We are also interested in the effect of precision exercise during pregnancy on maternal and offspring health in women with obesity and diabetes. Our lab employs methodology used to measure whole-body substrate metabolism by stable isotope tracers and mass spectrometry, molecular mediators by metabolomics and extracelluar vesicle analyses, heart and skeletal muscle energetics by magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), exercise tolerance assessment by graded exercise testing and indirect calorimetry, cardiac function by echocardiography, vascular function by peripheral arterial tonometry and vascular ultrasound, body composition analysis by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and air displacement plethymosgraphy, muscle strength by isokinetic dynamometry, and daily physical activity by actigraphy.
Current Research Studies
Wheelchair User Physical Activity Training Intervention to Enhance Cardiometabolic Health
Funding Source: 1 R01 HD111022-01 (PI: Morgan K, Washington University, Sub-Award PI: Cade WT)
The major goal of this project is to determine the effects of a community-based physical activity program on the cardiometabolic health of wheelchair users.
Mechanisms and Treatment of Cardioskeletal Dysfunction in Barth Syndrome
Funding Source: R01 HL136759 (PI: Pacak C, University of Minnesota, Sub-Award PI: Cade WT))
The main purpose of this study is to characterize skeletal and cardiac muscle pathology in human-derived inducible pluripotent stem cells differentiated myocytes.
Past Research Studies
Acute Effects of Aerobic and Resistance Exercise on Maternal Glucose Metabolism and Vascular Function in Obese Pregnancy Funding Source: National Rehabilitation Research Resource to Enhance Clinical Trials
Funding source: (REACT) P2C HD086851 (Sub-Award PI: Cade WT)
This study will collect preliminary data on the independent effects of acute aerobic and resistance rehabilitative exercise in obese women during pregnancy.
Characterization of the ‘Metabolic Phenotype’ in Barth Syndrome with Cardiac Transplantation
Funding Source: Barth Syndrome Foundation (PI: Cade WT)
The goal of this study is to characterize the metabolic ‘phenotype’ (cardioskeletal morphology, substrate metabolism, energetics and function) of participants with BTHS who with cardiac transplantation.
HIV- and ART-Associated Cardiometabolic Research Training in Rwanda
Funding Source: Fogarty Center D43 TW010335 01 (PI: Mutimura E, Role: Co-I)
The overall goal of this training strategy is to develop scientific leadership in HIV- and ART-associated cardiometabolic (CM) research in Rwanda through developing a dynamic team of scholars to implement well-designed contextually relevant studies, publish and present results at scientific meetings, and for networking, and develop expertise for independent research funding.
Effectiveness of Resistance Exercise Training Program in Youth with CF
Funding Source: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (PI: Granados A, Role: Co-I)
Effects of Resistance Exercise Training on Cardiac, Metabolic and Muscle Function and Quality of Life in Barth Syndrome: Part 2
Funding Source: Barth Syndrome Foundation (PI: Cade WT)
Planning for Clinical Gene Therapy Program for Barth Syndrome
Funding Source: Barth Syndrome Foundation (PI: Byrne BJ, Role: Co-I)
Heart and Skeletal Muscle Nutrient Metabolism, Energetics and Function in Barth Syndrome
Funding Source: R01 HL107406-01A1 (PI: Cade WT)
Exercise Training to Improve Brain Health in HIV+ Individuals
Funding Source: R01 NR015738-01A1 (PI: Ances BM, Role: Co-I)
Combining Testosterone Therapy and Exercise to Improve Function Post Hip Fracture
Funding Source: R01 AG051647-01 (PI: Binder E, Role: Co-I)
The Inorganic Nitrate for Exercise in Heart Failure (INIX-HF) Trial
Funding Source: R34 HL138253 02 (PI: Peterson LR, Role: Co-I)
Safety and Efficacy of Aerobic Exercise Training in Barth Syndrome
Funding Source: Barth Syndrome Foundation (PI: Cade WT)
Maternal Lipid Metabolism and Neonatal Heart Function in Diabetes Mellitus
Funding Source: Thrasher Research Fund (PI: Cade WT)
Exercise and TZD Effects on Myocardial Substrate Metabolism and Function in HIV
Funding Source: K01 DK074343 (PI: Cade WT)
Lipid Kinetics During Acute Exercise in HIV
Funding Source: F32 DK066977 (PI: Cade WT)