Zhiling Guo
Project Scientist, Medicine
School of Medicine
School of Medicine
M.D., Tongji Medical University, 1986, Medicine
Ph.D., Tongji Medical University, 1994, Cardiology
Ph.D., Tongji Medical University, 1994, Cardiology
University of California, Irvine
C252 - Medical Sciences 1
Mail Code: 4075
Irvine, CA 92697
C252 - Medical Sciences 1
Mail Code: 4075
Irvine, CA 92697
Research Interests
Neural control of cardiovascular function; Cardiac reflexes; Cardiac pain; Nitric oxide, Acupuncture
Academic Distinctions
The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Pilot Studies Awards, UCI, 2021
UCI Brain Initiative Pilot Award, 2020
Travel Award, the American Physiological Society, 2016
The Department of Medicine Chair’s Research Award, University of California, Irvine, 2014
Travel Award, the American Physiological Society, 2008
Faculty career development award for academic appointees, University of California, Irvine, 2006
Beginning Grant-In-Aid award, The American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, 2003
Beginning Grant-In-Aid award, The American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, 2001
Postdoctoral Fellowship award, The American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, 1998
National research award of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The Administration Bureau of National Traditional Medicine, China, 1998
Excellent teacher with honors, The second clinical college, Tongji Medical University, China, 1996
Scientific research award, Hubei Province, China, 1996
Research award, Tongji Medical University, China, 1995
UCI Brain Initiative Pilot Award, 2020
Travel Award, the American Physiological Society, 2016
The Department of Medicine Chair’s Research Award, University of California, Irvine, 2014
Travel Award, the American Physiological Society, 2008
Faculty career development award for academic appointees, University of California, Irvine, 2006
Beginning Grant-In-Aid award, The American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, 2003
Beginning Grant-In-Aid award, The American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, 2001
Postdoctoral Fellowship award, The American Heart Association, Western States Affiliate, 1998
National research award of Chinese Traditional Medicine, The Administration Bureau of National Traditional Medicine, China, 1998
Excellent teacher with honors, The second clinical college, Tongji Medical University, China, 1996
Scientific research award, Hubei Province, China, 1996
Research award, Tongji Medical University, China, 1995
Appointments
2001 - 2007, Assistant Researcher
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
2007 – 2012, Associate Project Scientist
Susan-Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
2012 - Present, Project Scientist
Susan-Samueli Integrative Health Institute and Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
2007 – 2012, Associate Project Scientist
Susan-Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine and Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
2012 - Present, Project Scientist
Susan-Samueli Integrative Health Institute and Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine
Research Abstract
I have been conducting two major research projects supported by NIH and American Heart association. First, I study central regulation of excitatory cardiovascular responses during myocardial ischemia (e.g., heart attack), including hypertensive responses and arrhythmias that result in significant patient mortality. Currently, I focus on studying mechanisms underlying roles of brain stem in processing these responses using anatomical, reflex and electrophysiological approaches. The aim of this study is to develop new methods to manage adverse cardiovascular responses during myocardial ischemia. Second, I study peripheral and central neural mechanisms underlying the influence of acupuncture on cardiovascular function with a focus on activation of sensory nerves through specific receptors to modulate elevated blood pressure. Using multiple approaches including models of sympathoexcitatory reflexes and sustained hypertension similar to essential hypertension in patients, I will test if acupuncture at somatic and cranial vagal nerve auricular acupoints lowers elevated blood pressure by modulating sympathetic activity through opioid-mediated mechanisms. These studies will provide novel insights into neural mechanisms underlying the actions of various forms of acupuncture to lower elevated blood pressure and ultimately guide clinical practice.
Publications
(* corresponding author; since 2009)
Guo ZL*, Lin X, Samaniego T, Isreb A, Cao S, Malik S, Holmes TC, and Xu X. Fos-creER based genetic mapping of forebrain regions activated by acupuncture. J Comp Neurol. 2020, 528:953-971.
Fu L, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Barvarz S, Guo ZL, and Malik S. Role of opioid receptors in modulation of P2X receptor-mediated cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflex response. Sci. Rep. 9:17224, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53754-6, 2019.
Malik S, Samaniego T, and Guo ZL*. Adenosine receptor A2a, but Not A1 in the rVLM participates along with opioids in acupuncture-mediated inhibition of excitatory cardiovascular reflexes. Front Neurosci. 2019 Oct 4;13:1049. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01049.
Guo ZL*, Lin X, Samaniego T, Isreb A, Cao S, Malik S, Holmes TC, and Xu X. Fos-creER based genetic mapping of forebrain regions activated by acupuncture. J Comp Neurol. 2020, 528:953-971.
Fu L, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Barvarz S, Guo ZL, and Malik S. Role of opioid receptors in modulation of P2X receptor-mediated cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflex response. Sci. Rep. 9:17224, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53754-6, 2019.
Malik S, Samaniego T, and Guo ZL*. Adenosine receptor A2a, but Not A1 in the rVLM participates along with opioids in acupuncture-mediated inhibition of excitatory cardiovascular reflexes. Front Neurosci. 2019 Oct 4;13:1049. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.01049.
Guo ZL* and Malik S. Acupuncture activates a direct pathway from the nucleus tractus solitarii to the rostral ventrolateral medulla. Brain Res. 1708: 69-77, 2019
Cheng L, Li P, Patel Y, Gong Y, Guo ZL, Wu H, Malik S, and Tjen-A-Looi SC. Moxibustion modulates sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflex responses through paraventricular nucleus. Front Neurosci. 2019 Jan 21;12:1057. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.01057.
Guo ZL*, Fu LW, Tjen-A-Looi SC, and Longhurst JC. Role of TRPV1 in acupuncture modulation of reflex excitatory cardiovascular responses. Am. J. Physiol. 314 (Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.): R655-R666, 2018.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Fu LW, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Modulation of neurally mediated vasodepression and bradycardia by electroacupuncture through opioids in nucleus tractus solitarius. Sci. Rep. 8:1900. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19672-9, 2018.
Guo ZL*, Longhurst JC, Tjen-A-Looi SC, and Fu LW. elPBN neurons regulate rVLM activity through elPBN-rVLM projections during activation of cardiac sympathetic afferent nerves. Am. J. Physiol. 311:R410-R425, 2016.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Fu LW, and Longhurst JC. Paraventricular Nucleus Modulates Excitatory Cardiovascular Reflexes during Electroacupuncture. Sci. Rep. 6, 25910; doi: 10.1038/srep25910, 2016.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. GABA in nucleus tractus solitarius participates in electroacupuncture modulation of cardiopulmonary bradycardia reflex. Am. J. Physiol. 307:R1313-R1323, 2014.
Li M, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Electroacupuncture modulation of reflex hypertension in rats: role of cholecystokinin octapeptide. Am. J. Physiol. 304:R404-R413, 2013.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Li M, and Longhurst JC. Medullary GABAergic mechanisms contribute to electroacupuncture modulation of cardiovascular depressor responses during gastric distension in rats. Am. J. Physiol. 304:R321-R332, 2013.
Li M, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Repetitive electroacupuncture causes prolonged increased met-enkephalin expression in the rVLM of conscious rats. Auton. Neurosci.: Basic and Clin. 170:30-35, 2012.
Fu LW, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Ionotropic glutamate receptors in the external lateral parabrachial nucleus participate in processing cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflexes. Am. J. Physiol. 302:H1444-H1453, 2012.
Guo ZL*, Li M, and Longhurst JC. Nucleus ambiguous cholinergic neurons activated by acupuncture: relation to enkephalin. Brain Res. 1442:25-35, 2012 (featured on the cover).
Guo ZL* and Longhurst JC. Activation of reciprocal pathways between arcuate nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray during electroacupuncture: involvement of VGLUT3. Brain Res. 1360:77-88, 2010.
Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. The arcuate-ventrolateral periaqueductal gray reciprocal circuit participates in electroacupuncture cardiovascular inhibition. Auton. Neurosci.: Basic and Clin. 13-23, 2010.
Fu LW, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Endogenous endothelin stimulates cardiac sympathetic afferents during ischaemia. J. Physiol. 588:2473-2486, 2010.
Moazzami AR, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Serotonergic projection from nucleus raphe pallidus to rostral ventrolateral medulla modulates cardiovascular reflex responses during acupuncture. J. Appl. Physiol. 108:1336-1346, 2010.
Guo ZL*, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Fu LW, and Longhurst JC. Nitric oxide in rostral ventrolateral medulla regulates cardiac-sympathetic reflex: role of synthase isoforms. Am. J. Physiol. 297:H1478-H1486, 2009.
Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Fu LW, and Longhurst JC. Long-loop pathways in cardiovascular electroacupuncture responses. J. Appl. Physiol. 106:620-630, 2009.
A List of Published Work in My Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/10gNffBubM05T/bibliography/public/
Cheng L, Li P, Patel Y, Gong Y, Guo ZL, Wu H, Malik S, and Tjen-A-Looi SC. Moxibustion modulates sympathoexcitatory cardiovascular reflex responses through paraventricular nucleus. Front Neurosci. 2019 Jan 21;12:1057. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2018.01057.
Guo ZL*, Fu LW, Tjen-A-Looi SC, and Longhurst JC. Role of TRPV1 in acupuncture modulation of reflex excitatory cardiovascular responses. Am. J. Physiol. 314 (Regul. Integr. Comp. Physiol.): R655-R666, 2018.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Fu LW, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Modulation of neurally mediated vasodepression and bradycardia by electroacupuncture through opioids in nucleus tractus solitarius. Sci. Rep. 8:1900. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-19672-9, 2018.
Guo ZL*, Longhurst JC, Tjen-A-Looi SC, and Fu LW. elPBN neurons regulate rVLM activity through elPBN-rVLM projections during activation of cardiac sympathetic afferent nerves. Am. J. Physiol. 311:R410-R425, 2016.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Fu LW, and Longhurst JC. Paraventricular Nucleus Modulates Excitatory Cardiovascular Reflexes during Electroacupuncture. Sci. Rep. 6, 25910; doi: 10.1038/srep25910, 2016.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. GABA in nucleus tractus solitarius participates in electroacupuncture modulation of cardiopulmonary bradycardia reflex. Am. J. Physiol. 307:R1313-R1323, 2014.
Li M, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Electroacupuncture modulation of reflex hypertension in rats: role of cholecystokinin octapeptide. Am. J. Physiol. 304:R404-R413, 2013.
Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Li M, and Longhurst JC. Medullary GABAergic mechanisms contribute to electroacupuncture modulation of cardiovascular depressor responses during gastric distension in rats. Am. J. Physiol. 304:R321-R332, 2013.
Li M, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Repetitive electroacupuncture causes prolonged increased met-enkephalin expression in the rVLM of conscious rats. Auton. Neurosci.: Basic and Clin. 170:30-35, 2012.
Fu LW, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Ionotropic glutamate receptors in the external lateral parabrachial nucleus participate in processing cardiac sympathoexcitatory reflexes. Am. J. Physiol. 302:H1444-H1453, 2012.
Guo ZL*, Li M, and Longhurst JC. Nucleus ambiguous cholinergic neurons activated by acupuncture: relation to enkephalin. Brain Res. 1442:25-35, 2012 (featured on the cover).
Guo ZL* and Longhurst JC. Activation of reciprocal pathways between arcuate nucleus and ventrolateral periaqueductal gray during electroacupuncture: involvement of VGLUT3. Brain Res. 1360:77-88, 2010.
Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. The arcuate-ventrolateral periaqueductal gray reciprocal circuit participates in electroacupuncture cardiovascular inhibition. Auton. Neurosci.: Basic and Clin. 13-23, 2010.
Fu LW, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Endogenous endothelin stimulates cardiac sympathetic afferents during ischaemia. J. Physiol. 588:2473-2486, 2010.
Moazzami AR, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, and Longhurst JC. Serotonergic projection from nucleus raphe pallidus to rostral ventrolateral medulla modulates cardiovascular reflex responses during acupuncture. J. Appl. Physiol. 108:1336-1346, 2010.
Guo ZL*, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Fu LW, and Longhurst JC. Nitric oxide in rostral ventrolateral medulla regulates cardiac-sympathetic reflex: role of synthase isoforms. Am. J. Physiol. 297:H1478-H1486, 2009.
Li P, Tjen-A-Looi SC, Guo ZL, Fu LW, and Longhurst JC. Long-loop pathways in cardiovascular electroacupuncture responses. J. Appl. Physiol. 106:620-630, 2009.
A List of Published Work in My Bibliography:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/myncbi/10gNffBubM05T/bibliography/public/
Grants
The American Heart Association (AHA), #98-17 (PI), 1998 – 2000; AHA, 0160077Y(PI), 2001 - 2004; AHA, 0365064Y (PI), 2003 - 2005.
RO1 HL 072125-01, NIH/NHLBI (Co-Investigator), 2003 – 2017; R01 HL66217, NIH/NHLBI (Co-Investigator), 2006 - 2015; R01 HL 063313, NIH/NHLBI (Co-Investigator), 2009 - 2014.
R01 AT009347, NCCIH (PI),
2016 - 2022.
R01 AT011306, NCCIH (Co-Investigator) 2021 - 2026.
Professional Societies
Society for Neuroscience
The American Physiological Society
The American Heart Association
Association of American Medical Colleges
Other Experience
Attending Physician, Lecturer and Associated Professor
Department of Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China 1994—1998
Department of Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical University, Wuhan, China 1994—1998
Post-doctor
UC Irvine 1998—2001
UC Irvine 1998—2001
Graduate Programs
Cardiovascular Disease (IM)
Research Centers
Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute
UCI Center for Neural Circuit Mapping
Link to this profile
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5161
https://faculty.uci.edu/profile/?facultyId=5161
Last updated
10/25/2021
10/25/2021