Scholars

Associate Professor

Positions:

Associate Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Irma Lerma Rangel College of Pharmacy

overview

My research is focused on the studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating the development of cardiometabolic disorders and identifying novel pharmacologic strategies to combat cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, endothelial and vascular dysfunction in diabetic, obese and aging patients. Currently we are exploring the role of gut microbe-derived metabolites in endothelial and vascular cell signaling.

education and training

Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Tubingen - (Tübingen, Germany) 2008
Pharm.M. in Pharmacology Specialization, Andhra University - (Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India) 2005
B.S. in Pharmacy, Andhra University - (Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India) 2002

selected publications

Academic Articles73

Kukreja, R. C., Wang, R., Koka, S., Das, A., Samidurai, A., & Xi, L. (2023). Treating diabetes with combination of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors and hydroxychloroquine-apossible prevention strategy for COVID-19?. MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY. 478(3), 679-696.
Boini, K., & Koka, S. (2021). Identification of proteomic alterations in TMAOInduced Cardiac Injury. The FASEB Journal. 35(S1),
Puchchakayala, G., Singh, G., Koka, S., & Boini, K. (2021). Role of High Mobility Group Box 1 in TrimethylamineNOxideInduced Podocyte Injury and Glomerular Sclerosis. The FASEB Journal. 35(S1),
Koka, S., Puchchakayala, G., & Boini, K. (2020). Choline Treatment Activates NLRP3 Inflammasome Formation and Leads to Endothelial Dysfunction in Mice. Current Developments in Nutrition. 4(Suppl 2), nzaa040_044-nzaa040_044.
Koka, S., Xi, L., & Kukreja, R. C. (2020). Chronic inhibition of phosphodiesterase 5 with tadalafil affords cardioprotection in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome: role of nitric oxide.. 468(1-2), 47-58.

Chapters7

Kukreja, R. C., Das, A., Koka, S., Samidurai, A., & Xi, L. (2023). Nitric Oxide-cGMP-PKG Signaling in the Cardioprotective Effects of Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors. Nitric Oxide: From Research to Therapeutics. 111-126. Springer Nature.
Boini, K. M., Li, P., & Koka, S. (2020). Role of NLRP3 Inflammasomes in Obesity-Induced Cardiovascular Diseases. Biochemistry of Cardiovascular Dysfunction in Obesity. 97-109. Springer Nature.
Koka, S., Aluri, H. S., Xi, L., Lesnefsky, E. J., & Kukreja, R. C. (2017). Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition and Cardioprotection in Type 2 Diabetes. Kawai, Y. (Eds.), Adaptation Biology and Medicine, Volume 8. 43-59. Narosa Publishing House Ltd..
Koka, S., & Kukreja, R. C. (2014). PDE-5 Inhibitors in Protection of Diabetic Heart. Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. 323-338. Springer Nature.
Koka, S., Xi, L., & Kukreja, R. C. (2014). Phosphodiesterse-5 inhibition with Tadalafil attenuates detrimental proteomic changes in type 2 diabetic myocardium. Popescu, L. M. (Eds.), Adaptation Biology and Medicine, Volume 7. 87-104. Narosa Publishing House Ltd..

Conference Papers1

Rahman, A., Koka, S., & Boini, K. M. Acid Sphingomyelinase Inhibitor Protects Against the Nicotine-Induced Podocyte Injury. Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, ASPET 2023 Annual Meeting Abstract - Cardiovascular Pharmacology. 385(S3), 101-101.