Abdel A. Abdel-Rahman, Ph.D.

About our lab

The Abdel-Rahman Lab, part of the Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology at the Brody School of Medicine, East Carolina University, has over 30 years of research history. Focusing on the effects of the sympathetic nervous system on blood pressure and heart rate regulation, Dr. Rahman received his Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Leeds University, School of Medicine.

While the lab’s primary focus was initially on the central regulation of blood pressure, it has recently shifted to studying the effects of high blood pressure on the left ventricle, the development of pulmonary hypertension, and its consequent impact on the right ventricle.

Dr. Rahman has conducted extensive research into the functional and molecular changes that occur in the heart as a result of both acute and chronic ethanol consumption. He was on the forefront of establishing the sex differences in ethanol-evoked cardiotoxicity and attributed these sex differences to the sex hormone estrogen.

Recently, Dr. Rahman’s research has focused on the role of estrogen and ethanol on the expression of crucial circadian rhythm proteins and its consequent effect on cardiac health. In addition to establishing its effect on circadian rhythm, he is interested in the cardiovascular effects of chronic estrogen therapy in biological males.

Continuous NIH funding (>$12,000,000 as Principal Investigator) has permitted acquisition of the new equipment and advanced techniques needed for our multilevel approach research. Current funding:

2R01 AA14441-11. Sex/estrogen-dependent vulnerability to alcohol- evoked cardiotoxicity: Role of circadian rhythm regulated enzymes. Principal Investigator. Source: National Institutes on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. 9/1/2018-7/31/2023. Total cost $1,926,570.

Circadian Rhythm Project

Our lab investigates the impact of alcohol on women’s cardiovascular health, particularly the role of estrogen (E2) and circadian rhythm in alcohol-evoked cardiotoxicity. Despite the increasing prevalence of alcohol consumption among young women and their heightened sensitivity to alcohol-induced cardiac damage, this issue remains understudied. By leveraging advanced scientific tools, we aim to uncover how E2 and circadian rhythms regulate cardiac function, autonomic responses, and alcohol-induced damage. Our research seeks to provide novel insights into E2’s cardioprotective mechanisms and identify new therapeutic targets to improve women’s cardiovascular health.

Media Coverage of Research

Our groundbreaking research has garnered attention in prestigious platforms:

American Heart Association highlighted our findings in a news release during the Basic Cardiovascular Sciences (BCVS) Conference 2024:
New Research Explores Alcohol’s Impact on the Heart
Featured on EurekAlert, an initiative by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS):
Read the Full Article on EurekAlert

Recent Publications:

Donovan MK, Abdel-Rahman AA. Ethanol-induced lung and cardiac right ventricular inflammation and remodeling underlie progression to pulmonary arterial hypertension. Alcohol Clin Exp Res (Hoboken). 2024 Jul;48(7):1250-1260. doi: 10.1111/acer.15341. Epub 2024 May 6. PubMed PMID: 38710650; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11236493.
Ahmed SA, Zhang B, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen-mediated mitigation of cardiac oxidative stress in ovariectomized rats is associated with upregulated cardiac circadian clock Per2 and heart-specific miRNAs. Life Sci. 2023 Oct 15;331:122038. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122038. Epub 2023 Aug 22. PubMed PMID: 37619835; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10528738.
Shawky NM, Soliman E, Abdel-Rahman AA, Rezq S. Editorial: Cardiorenal dysregulation in endocrine disorders: innovative mechanisms and therapeutic interventions. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1275919. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1275919. eCollection 2023. PubMed PMID: 37693912; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC10486096.
Yao F, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen dampens central cannabinoid receptor 1-mediated neuroexcitation and pressor response in conscious female rats. Biochem Pharmacol. 2022 Jul;201:115102. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115102. Epub 2022 May 23. PubMed PMID: 35617998; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC9399937.
Parekh RU, White A, Leffler KE, Biancardi VC, Eells JB, Abdel-Rahman AA, Sriramula S. Hypothalamic kinin B1 receptor mediates orexin system hyperactivity in neurogenic hypertension. Sci Rep. 2021 Oct 26;11(1):21050. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-00522-0. PubMed PMID: 34702886; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8548389.
Yao F, Abdel-Rahman AA. Tetrahydrobiopterin paradoxically mediates cardiac oxidative stress and mitigates ethanol-evoked cardiac dysfunction in conscious female rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2021 Oct 15;909:174406. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174406. Epub 2021 Aug 6. PubMed PMID: 34364878; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8434968.
Mohammed RA, El-Yamany MF, Abdel-Rahman AA, Nassar NN, Al-Shorbagy MY. Role of pERK1/2-NFκB signaling in the neuroprotective effect of thalidomide against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2021 Mar 15;895:173872. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.173872. Epub 2021 Jan 16. PubMed PMID: 33465355.
Katary M, Abdel-Rahman AA. Alcohol suppresses cardiovascular diurnal variations in male normotensive rats: Role of reduced PER2 expression and CYP2E1 hyperactivity in the heart. Alcohol. 2020 Dec;89:27-36. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2020.08.001. Epub 2020 Aug 7. PubMed PMID: 32777474; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7719577.
Fouda MA, Leffler KE, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen-dependent hypersensitivity to diabetes-evoked cardiac autonomic dysregulation: Role of hypothalamic neuroinflammation. Life Sci. 2020 Jun 1;250:117598. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117598. Epub 2020 Mar 31. PubMed PMID: 32243927; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7202046.
Leffler KE, Abdel-Rahman AA. Restoration of Adiponectin-Connexin43 Signaling Mitigates Myocardial Inflammation and Dysfunction in Diabetic Female Rats. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2020 Mar;75(3):259-267. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000789. PubMed PMID: 31868825; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7537147.
Yao F, Abdel-Rahman AA. Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Inhibition Ameliorates Cardiac Dysfunction and Exacerbates Hypotension Caused by Alcohol in Female Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2020 Jan;44(1):45-55. doi: 10.1111/acer.14225. Epub 2019 Nov 24. PubMed PMID: 31693194; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6980931.
Leffler KE, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen-Dependent Disruption of Adiponectin-Connexin43 Signaling Underlies Exacerbated Myocardial Dysfunction in Diabetic Female Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2019 Feb;368(2):208-217. doi: 10.1124/jpet.118.254029. Epub 2018 Dec 6. PubMed PMID: 30523063; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC6337006.
El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Role of Alcohol Oxidative Metabolism in Its Cardiovascular and Autonomic Effects. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2019;1193:1-33. doi: 10.1007/978-981-13-6260-6_1. Review. PubMed PMID: 31368095; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC8034813.
Matouk AI, Taye A, El-Moselhy MA, Heeba GH, Abdel-Rahman AA. Abnormal cannabidiol confers cardioprotection in diabetic rats independent of glycemic control. Eur J Pharmacol. 2018 Feb 5;820:256-264. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.12.039. Epub 2017 Dec 20. PubMed PMID: 29274332; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5767137.
Fouda MA, El-Sayed SS, Abdel-Rahman AA. Restoration of Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla Cystathionine-γ Lyase Activity Underlies Moxonidine-Evoked Neuroprotection and Sympathoinhibition in Diabetic Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2018 Feb;364(2):170-178. doi: 10.1124/jpet.117.243865. Epub 2017 Nov 13. PubMed PMID: 29133386; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5771313.
Yao F, Abdel-Rahman AA. Combined Catalase and ADH Inhibition Ameliorates Ethanol-Induced Myocardial Dysfunction Despite Causing Oxidative Stress in Conscious Female Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2017 Sep;41(9):1541-1550. doi: 10.1111/acer.13442. Epub 2017 Jul 25. PubMed PMID: 28667748; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5581241.
Steagall RJ, Yao F, Shaikh SR, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen receptor α activation enhances its cell surface localization and improves myocardial redox status in ovariectomized rats. Life Sci. 2017 Aug 1;182:41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.06.005. Epub 2017 Jun 6. PubMed PMID: 28599865; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5535783.
Abdel-Rahman AA. Influence of sex on cardiovascular drug responses: role of estrogen. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2017 Apr;33:1-5. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2017.02.002. Epub 2017 Mar 21. Review. PubMed PMID: 28340373; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5478467.
Taylor DA, Theobald RJ, Abdel-Rahman AA, Anderson EJ. Editorial overview: Cardiovascular and renal: Putting the brake on heart-breaks: emerging targets and treatment strategies for cardiovascular and renal disorders. Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2017 Apr;33:iv-vi. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2017.06.001. PubMed PMID: 28629638.
Fouda MA, Abdel-Rahman AA. Endothelin Confers Protection against High Glucose-Induced Neurotoxicity via Alleviation of Oxidative Stress. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2017 Apr;361(1):130-139. doi: 10.1124/jpet.116.238659. Epub 2017 Feb 8. PubMed PMID: 28179472; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5363775.
Yao F, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen Receptors α and β Play Major Roles in Ethanol-Evoked Myocardial Oxidative Stress and Dysfunction in Conscious Ovariectomized Rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2017 Feb;41(2):279-290. doi: 10.1111/acer.13290. Epub 2016 Dec 29. PubMed PMID: 28032633; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5272804.
Matouk AI, Taye A, El-Moselhy MA, Heeba GH, Abdel-Rahman AA. The Effect of Chronic Activation of the Novel Endocannabinoid Receptor GPR18 on Myocardial Function and Blood Pressure in Conscious Rats. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2017 Jan;69(1):23-33. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000438. PubMed PMID: 27676325; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5209303.
Ferreira RB, de Oliveira MG, Antunes E, Almeida WP, Ibrahim BM, Abdel-Rahman AA. New 2-Aminothiazoline derivatives lower blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) via I(1)-imidazoline and alpha-2 adrenergic receptors activation. Eur J Pharmacol. 2016 Nov 15;791:803-810. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.10.009. Epub 2016 Oct 8. PubMed PMID: 27729248.
Rezq S, Abdel-Rahman AA. Rostral Ventrolateral Medulla EP3 Receptor Mediates the Sympathoexcitatory and Pressor Effects of Prostaglandin E2 in Conscious Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2016 Nov;359(2):290-299. doi: 10.1124/jpet.116.233502. Epub 2016 Aug 29. PubMed PMID: 27572469; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5074484.
McGee MA, Abdel-Rahman AA. N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor Signaling and Function in Cardiovascular Tissues. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2016 Aug;68(2):97-105. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000398. Review. PubMed PMID: 27046337; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4980173.
El-Sayed SS, Zakaria MN, Abdel-Ghany RH, Abdel-Rahman AA. Cystathionine-γ lyase-derived hydrogen sulfide mediates the cardiovascular protective effects of moxonidine in diabetic rats. Eur J Pharmacol. 2016 Jul 15;783:73-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2016.04.054. Epub 2016 Apr 29. PubMed PMID: 27138707; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4893977.
Mohamed RA, Agha AM, Abdel-Rahman AA, Nassar NN. Role of adenosine A2A receptor in cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury: Signaling to phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (pERK1/2). Neuroscience. 2016 Feb 9;314:145-59. doi: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2015.11.059. Epub 2015 Nov 28. PubMed PMID: 26642806.
Yao F, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen receptor ERα plays a major role in ethanol-evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction in conscious female rats. Alcohol. 2016 Feb;50:27-35. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.11.002. Epub 2015 Nov 26. PubMed PMID: 26695589; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4753111.
Rezq S, Abdel-Rahman AA. Central GPR109A Activation Mediates Glutamate-Dependent Pressor Response in Conscious Rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2016 Feb;356(2):456-65. doi: 10.1124/jpet.115.229146. Epub 2015 Nov 30. PubMed PMID: 26621144; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4746491.
Ibrahim BM, Abdel-Rahman AA. A pivotal role for enhanced brainstem Orexin receptor 1 signaling in the central cannabinoid receptor 1-mediated pressor response in conscious rats. Brain Res. 2015 Oct 5;1622:51-63. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.06.011. Epub 2015 Jun 18. PubMed PMID: 26096126; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4562882.
El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Estrogen modulation of the ethanol-evoked myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction via DAPK3/Akt/ERK activation in male rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2015 Sep 15;287(3):284-92. doi: 10.1016/j.taap.2015.06.015. Epub 2015 Jun 23. PubMed PMID: 26111663; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4549171.
Fan M, El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Preserved Left Ventricular Performance in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats Following Preload and Afterload Challenges. J Hypertension and Management. 2015 August; 1(1).
McGee MA, Abdel-Rahman AA. Ethanol attenuates peripheral NMDAR-mediated vascular oxidative stress and pressor response. Alcohol. 2015 Aug;49(5):499-506. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2015.03.004. Epub 2015 Apr 28. PubMed PMID: 25986731; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4469563.
Nassar NN, Abdel-Rahman AA. Brain stem adenosine receptors modulate centrally mediated hypotensive responses in conscious rats: A review. J Adv Res. 2015 May;6(3):331-40. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2014.12.005. Epub 2014 Dec 18. Review. PubMed PMID: 26257930; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4522583.
Penumarti A, Abdel-Rahman AA. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent elevation in adiponectin in the rostral ventrolateral medulla underlies g protein-coupled receptor 18-mediated hypotension in conscious rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2014 Oct;351(1):44-53. doi: 10.1124/jpet.114.216036. Epub 2014 Aug 6. PubMed PMID: 25100751; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4165025.
El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Ser/thr phosphatases tonically attenuate the ERK-dependent pressor effect of ethanol in the rostral ventrolateral medulla in normotensive rats. Brain Res. 2014 Aug 19;1577:21-8. doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.06.026. Epub 2014 Jun 28. PubMed PMID: 24978604; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4127126.
Taki FA, Abdel-Rahman AA, Zhang B. A comprehensive approach to identify reliable reference gene candidates to investigate the link between alcoholism and endocrinology in Sprague-Dawley rats. PLoS One. 2014;9(5):e94311. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094311. eCollection 2014. PubMed PMID: 24824616; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4019588.
McGee MA, Abdel-Rahman AA. Enhanced vascular PI3K/Akt-NOX signaling underlies the peripheral NMDAR-mediated pressor response in conscious rats. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2014 May;63(5):395-405. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000059. PubMed PMID: 24336015; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4013219.
Ibrahim BM, Fan M, Abdel-Rahman AA. Oxidative stress and autonomic dysregulation contribute to the acute time-dependent myocardial depressant effect of ethanol in conscious female rats. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2014 May;38(5):1205-15. doi: 10.1111/acer.12363. PubMed PMID: 24754626; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3999510.
Penumarti A, Abdel-Rahman AA. The novel endocannabinoid receptor GPR18 is expressed in the rostral ventrolateral medulla and exerts tonic restraining influence on blood pressure. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2014 Apr;349(1):29-38. doi: 10.1124/jpet.113.209213. Epub 2014 Jan 15. PubMed PMID: 24431468; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3965889.
El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Nongenomic effects of estrogen mediate the dose-related myocardial oxidative stress and dysfunction caused by acute ethanol in female rats. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Apr 1;306(7):E740-7. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00465.2013. Epub 2013 Dec 24. PubMed PMID: 24368668; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3962612.
El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Endothelial and neuronal nitric oxide synthases variably modulate the oestrogen-mediated control of blood pressure and cardiovascular autonomic control. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2014 Mar;41(3):246-54. doi: 10.1111/1440-1681.12207. PubMed PMID: 24471817; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3967713.
Ibrahim BM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Cannabinoid receptor 1 signaling in cardiovascular regulating nuclei in the brainstem: A review. J Adv Res. 2014 Mar;5(2):137-45. doi: 10.1016/j.jare.2013.03.008. Epub 2013 Apr 3. Review. PubMed PMID: 25685481; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC4294710.
El-Mas MM, Fan M, Abdel-Rahman AA. Role of rostral ventrolateral medullary ERK/JNK/p38 MAPK signaling in the pressor effects of ethanol and its oxidative product acetaldehyde. Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2013 Nov;37(11):1827-37. doi: 10.1111/acer.12179. Epub 2013 Jul 26. PubMed PMID: 23905689; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3812351.
El-Mas M, Fan M, Abdel-Rahman A. Role of Rostral Ventrolateral Medullary ERK/JNK/p38 MAPK Signaling in the Pressor Effects of Ethanol and Its Oxidative Product Acetaldehyde. Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research. 2013 November; 37(11):1827-1837. doi: 10.1111/acer.12179.
El-Mas MM, Abdel-Rahman AA. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation by nitric oxide synthases accounts for the augmented enalapril-evoked hypotension in ethanol-fed female rats. Alcohol. 2013 Jun;47(4):339-46. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2013.03.004. PubMed PMID: 23683529; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3671379.
El-Mas M, Abdel-Rahman A. Cardiovascular autonomic modulation by nitric oxide synthases accounts for the augmented enalapril-evoked hypotension in ethanol-fed female rats. Alcohol. 2013 June; 47(4):339-346. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2013.03.004.
El-Mas MM, Fan M, Abdel-Rahman AA. Differential modulation by vascular nitric oxide synthases of the ethanol-evoked hypotension and autonomic dysfunction in female rats. Alcohol. 2012 Dec;46(8):727-35. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2012.09.001. Epub 2012 Oct 6. PubMed PMID: 23046587; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC3496835.
El-Mas M, Fan M, Abdel-Rahman A. Differential modulation by vascular nitric oxide synthases of the ethanol-evoked hypotension and autonomic dysfunction in female rats. Alcohol. 2012 December; 46(8):727-735. doi: 10.1016/j.alcohol.2012.09.001.
McGee MA, Abdel-Rahman AA. Enhanced vascular neuronal nitric-oxide synthase-derived nitric-oxide production underlies the pressor response caused by peripheral N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation in conscious rats. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2012 Aug;342(2):461-71. doi: 10.1124/jpet.112.194464. Epub 2012 May 11. PubMed PMID: 22580349; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC11047766.

For complete view of publications, please visit:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/1tuIWgFzVhcQv/bibliography/public/

Book Chapters

Contributed 15 book chapters as co-contributor or single contributor.

The most recent 4 (chapters 36-39) appeared in Brody’s Human Pharmacology (6th Edition): Mechanism-Based Therapeutics (Editor Lynn Wecker with David A. Taylor and Robert I. Theobald; ELSEVIER, Philadelphia, PA, 2019).

WIP_Rahman_NIH_Grant

Laboratory Members

Name	Title	Building/Room
Lindsey Lin	Research Specialist	BSOM 6W-52
Syed Anees Ahmed	Postdoctoral Fellow	BSOM 6W-58
Collin Brinkley	Medical Student	BSOM 6W-58

Former Laboratory Members

Name	Title	Building/Room	Phone
Mary Katherine Donovan	Graduate Student	BSOM 6W-58