Jose Behar, M.D.

Professor of Medicine

Address:

Rhode Island Hospital
593 Eddy Street
Providence, RI 02903
phone: 401-444-5034
fax: 401-444-6194

E-mail:Jose_Behar@Brown.Edu

Research Interests:

Our research activities are aimed at studying the motility disorders of the gallbladders that are responsible for biliary colicky pain, gallstone formation and growth and acute and chronic cholecystitis. Our studies performed in patients and animals with supersaturated bile with cholesterol have shown an impaired muscle contraction and relaxation induced by agonists that are dependent on the activation of transmembrane proteins such as receptors and calcium channels. We are also studying the role of supersaturated bile with cholesterol in the pathogenesis of acute cholecystitis. These studies involve receptor binding to ligands and receptor-G protein coupling with assessment of their response to receptor-dependent agonists and to G protein activators and second messengers.

High grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus

Clinical Interests:

I have clinical interests in esophageal and gallbladder diseases as well as smooth muscle physiology and esophageal motility disorders.

Selected Publications:

Cheng L, Cao W, Fiocchi C, Behar J, Biancani P, Harnett KM. HCl-Induced Inflammatory Mediators in Cat Esophageal Mucosa and Inflammatory Mediators in Esophageal Circular Muscle in an In Vitro Model of Esophagitis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2006 Jan 26;

Xiao ZL, Cao W, Biancani P, Behar J. Non-Genomic Effects of Progesterone on the Contraction of Muscle Cells from Guinea Pig Colon. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2006 Jan 6.

Cheng L, Harnett KM, Cao W, Liu F, Behar J, Fiocchi C, Biancani P. Hydrogen peroxide reduces lower esophageal sphincter tone in human esophagitis. Gastroenterology. 2005 Nov;129(5):1675-85.

Cheng L, Cao W, Fiocchi C, Behar J, Biancani P, Harnett KM. In vitro model of acute esophagitis in the cat. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 Nov;289(5):G860-9. Epub 2005 Jul 21.

Cheng L, Cao W, Fiocchi C, Behar J, Biancani P, Harnett KM. Platelet-activating factor and prostaglandin E2 impair esophageal ACh release in experimental esophagitis. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 Sep;289(3):G418-28. Epub 2005 May 12.

Xiao ZL, Pricolo V, Biancani P, Behar J. Role of progesterone signaling in the regulation of G-protein levels in female chronic constipation. Gastroenterology. 2005 Mar;128(3):667-75.

Cao W, Harnett KM, Cheng L, Kirber MT, Behar J, Biancani P.  H(2)O(2): a mediator of esophagitis-induced damage to calcium-release mechanisms in cat lower esophageal sphincter. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 Jun;288(6):G1170-8. Epub 2005 Jan 20.

Xiao ZL, Amaral J, Biancani P, Behar J. Impaired cytoprotective function of muscle in human gallbladders with cholesterol stones. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005 Mar;288 (3):G525-32. Epub 2004 Oct 14.

Xiao ZL, Biancani P, Behar J. Role of PGE2 on gallbladder muscle cytoprotection of guinea pigs. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2004 Jan;286(1):G82-8. Epub 2003 Aug 22.

Guarino MP, Xiao ZL, Biancani P, Behar J. PAF-like lipids- and PAF-induced gallbladder muscle contraction is mediated by different pathways in guinea pigs. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2003 Dec;285(6):G1189-97. Epub 2003 Aug 22.

Xiao ZL, Biancani P, Carey MC, Behar J.  Hydrophilic but not hydrophobic bile acids prevent gallbladder muscle dysfunction in acute cholecystitis. Hepatology. 2003 Jun;37(6):1442-50.

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