Biography

Research Focus
Ways hypertension develops, particularly pulmonary hypertension. Special interest in pulmonary fibrosis and fat embolism.

Molteni’s research often involves NEFAs — non-esterified fatty acids — and their role in high blood pressure. His studies have supported treatment for mild hypertension and looked at hypertension risks related to other medical conditions. He continues to do research while teaching and overseeing student research at the School of Medicine.

Research Summary
Dr. Molteni’s main research interest is the study of development of interstitial pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in several models of experimental lung injury: exposure to radiation and hypoxia, administration of bleomycin and fat embolism syndrome. Also studied is the role played by the renin angiotensin system in the development of fibrosis and the antifibrotic protection of angiotensin converting inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.

His projects are conducted in cooperation with Dr. Betty Herndon (UMKC SOM); Dr. T. McIff, Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery and Dr. A. Poisner, Dept. of Pharmacology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Dr. B. Uhal, Dept. of Physiology, Michigan State University, Dr. R. Baybutt, Dept. of Health Sciences, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL., Dr. G Van Den Heuvel, Dept. of Physiology, Eastern Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI.

Research Career Development Award, National Institutes of Health, 1972
Albert E. Lasker Award, 1980, to NHLBI sharing as principal investigator, Central Laboratory Hypertension Detection and Follow-up Program
Meritorious Service Award, Chicago Heart Association,1982
Clinical Chemists Recognition Award, 1983
Betty Drees Lifetime Mentorship Award, University of Missouri Kansas City, 2016

Recent research includes the evaluation of exenatide in a rodent model of non-alcoholic liver steatosis, and in particular, the drug’s effect on the pancreas and the thyroid of these animals. This study was performed in cooperation with Dr. Herndon, Dr. Laura Alba, and others of the Dept. of Medicine, in the UMKC SOM. An additional study is the evaluation of pulmonary and cardiac damage in a model of Cux-1 mice expressing the cyclin kinase inhibitors P21 and P27 (Drs Baybutt and Van Den Heuvel).