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Faculty Profile Last Modified Time: 12:02:47 PM Tue, 31 Mar 2020   Contact Information Mahmoud S. Ahmed Associated Profiles  Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pharmacology & Toxicology, UT Medical Branch at Galveston   Clinical Sciences Building, Room No.: 302    maahmed@utmb.edu     (409)772-0977    Web Link    Lab Webpage    Placenta, Methadone, Opiate Alkaloids, Bupropion, Opioid Receptors, Pregnancy, Mothers, Kappa Opioid Receptor    Associated Profiles Research and Expertise Affiliations Appointments  Research and Expertise Research Interests   The molecular mechanisms underlying human placental disposition of medications used for treatment of the pregnant patient, including opiates. The goal of our research program is to make more of the current medications available for treatment of the pregnant patient. This goal is achieved by pursuing clinical and translational projects. The clinical is to determine the pharmacokinetics and safety of the medication during pregnancy. The translational is to understand the role of human placenta in regulating fetal exposure to the medication throughout gestation. Pregnancy is associated with physiological changes that affect the pharmacokinetics of administered medications. Human placenta plays a crucial role in regulating fetal growth and development as well as protecting the fetus from xenobiotics and administered medications. Investigations in our laboratory focus on understanding the mechanisms underlying the disposition of therapeutic agents used for treatment of the opiate addict and hypoglycemic drugs used for treatment of gestational diabetes. In addition, we are collaborating with other investigators on developing new drugs for treatment of nicotine addiction during pregnancy. Over the last two decades, Dr. Ahmed's laboratory has provided information on the molecular mechanism(s) leading to the development of tolerance of opiates utilizing human placenta as a model system. His laboratory identified the role of opiate receptors in human placenta, a noninnervated tissue, as well as their endogenous ligand (dynorphon 1-8) and mediated responses (regulation of hCG and acetylcholine release), and demonstrated that the in vitro and/or in vivo exposure of human placenta to opiates leads to the development of tolerance. His laboratory also identified a cocaine binding protein in human placenta and conducted a clinical investigation of cocaine use during pregnancy and its effects on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Recently, his laboratory identified the role of human placenta as a functional barrier protecting the fetus from exposure to therapeutic agents by its disposition of the drugs. Dr. Ahmed's future research interests include translational and clinical investigations of therapeutics used for treatment of the pregnant patient.  Publications/Creative Works Click here to search for this faculty member's publications on PubMed.  Affiliations  Research Consortia GCC Cluster for Alcohol and Addiction Research  Appointments Title Department / School Institution Professor Obstetrics & Gynecology UT Medical Branch at Galveston

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