Section: Overview
Overview
Key publications
Research funding
Supervising & teaching
Career

Key details

Areas of expertise

  • Cardiovascular & kidney diseases
  • Nutrition and dietary therapy in chronic diseases prevention and treatment
  • Examining the role of the Mas receptor in endothelial dysfunction
  • Cancer

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

About Anthony Zulli

Dr Zulli joined Victoria University after finishing his NHMRC Peter Doherty Fellowship in 2009 (2006-2009, University of Melbourne, Austin Health). Dr Zulli's research focuses on the mechanisms that cardiovascular disease risk factors (homocysteine/cholesterol) cause endothelial dysfunction. His research has an emphasis on the nitric oxide pathway, oxidative stress and the renin-angiotensin system, and has a recent interest on reducing kidney disease caused by cancer treatments. Dr Zulli has been funded by the National Heart Foundation and NHMRC, as well as internal VU grant schemes. His pharmacology laboratory is equipped with 80 organ bath units, were he studies blood vessels from the microvasculature (60 micron diameter) to large conduit arteries (2-4mm diameter). His approved research utilises rabbits, rats, guinea pigs and mice.

His work has recently shown that the cardiovascular risk factor homocysteine could affect the efficacy of antioxidant therapy, and his collaborative work has shown that hormones released from bone can 'talk' to blood vessels during stress, improving their function.

He has published over 80 manuscripts, attracted over $1 million in funds and collaborates with local, national and international scientists.

Qualifications

  • PhD, University of Melbourne, 2009
  • GCTE, Victoria University

Key publications

Year Citation
2024 Apostolopoulos, V., Georgiou, N., Tzeli, D., Mavromoustakos, T., Moore, G. J., Kelaidonis, K., Matsoukas, M. -T., Tsiodras, S., Swiderski, J., & Kate, Gadanec. (240628). Density functional theory and enzyme studies support interactions between angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme-2: Relevance to coronavirus 2019.. Bioorg Chem, 150

doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2024.107602

2024 Moore, G. J., Ridway, H., Gadanec, L. K., Apostolopoulos, V., Zulli, A., Swiderski, J., Kelaidonis, K., Vidali, V. P., Matsoukas, M. T., & Chasapis, C. T. (240601). Structural Features Influencing the Bioactive Conformation of Angiotensin II and Angiotensin A: Relationship between Receptor Desensitization, Addiction, and the Blood-Brain Barrier. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(11),

doi: 10.3390/ijms25115779

2024 Ranasinghe, R., Mathai, M., Abdullah, Alshawsh., & Zulli, A. (240415). Nanocarrier-mediated cancer therapy with cisplatin: A meta-analysis with a promising new paradigm. Heliyon, 10(7),

doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28171

2024 Gadanec, L. K., McSweeney, K. R., Kubatka, P., Caprnda, M., Gaspar, L., Prosecky, R., Dragasek, J., Kruzliak, P., Apostolopoulos, V., & Zulli, A. (240201). Angiotensin II constricts mouse iliac arteries: possible mechanism for aortic aneurysms. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 479(2), (233-242).

doi: 10.1007/s11010-023-04724-0

2024 Ridgway, H., Moore, G. J., Gadanec, L. K., Zulli, A., Apostolopoulos, V., Hoffmann, W., Wgrzyn, K., Vassilaki, N., Mpekoulis, G., & Zouridakis, M. (240101). Novel benzimidazole angiotensin receptor blockers with anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity equipotent to that of nirmatrelvir: computational and enzymatic studies. Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets, 28(5), (437-459).

doi: 10.1080/14728222.2024.2362675

2023 Gadanec, L. K., Swiderski, J., Apostolopoulos, V., Kelaidonis, K., Vidali, V. P., Canko, A., Moore, G. J., Matsoukas, J. M., & Zulli, A. (231201). Existence of Quantum Pharmacology in Sartans: Evidence in Isolated Rabbit Iliac Arteries. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(24),

doi: 10.3390/ijms242417559

2023 McSweeney, K. R., Gadanec, L. K., Kubatka, P., Caprnda, M., Gaspar, L., Prosecky, R., Delev, D., Kruzliak, P., Apostolopoulos, V., & Zulli, A. (231201). Cisplatin treatment reduces contraction to angiotensin II by altering expression of angiotensin II receptors: a pilot study. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, 478(12), (2907-2916).

doi: 10.1007/s11010-023-04706-2

2023 Gadanec, L. K., Andersson, U., Apostolopoulos, V., & Zulli, A. (230701). Glycyrrhizic Acid Inhibits High-Mobility Group Box-1 and Homocysteine-Induced Vascular Dysfunction. Nutrients, 15(14),

doi: 10.3390/nu15143186

2023 Swiderski, J., Sakkal, S., Apostolopoulos, V., Zulli, A., & Gadanec, L. K. (230601). Combination of Taurine and Black Pepper Extract as a Treatment for Cardiovascular and Coronary Artery Diseases. Nutrients, 15(11),

doi: 10.3390/nu15112562

2023 Swiderski, J., Gadanec, L. K., Apostolopoulos, V., Moore, G. J., Kelaidonis, K., Matsoukas, J. M., & Zulli, A. (230501). Role of Angiotensin II in Cardiovascular Diseases: Introducing Bisartans as a Novel Therapy for Coronavirus 2019. Biomolecules, 13(5),

doi: 10.3390/biom13050787

Research funding for the past 5 years

Please note:

  • Funding is ordered by the year the project commenced and may continue over several years.
  • Funding amounts for contact research are not disclosed to maintain commercial confidentiality.
  • The order of investigators is not indicative of the role they played in the research project.

The role of osteocalcin in blood vessel disease: A novel approach to fight blood vessels disease.
From: Rebecca L Cooper Medical Research Foundation Limited
Other investigators: Prof Itamar Levinger
For period: 2017-2018
$24,900

Supervision of research students at VU

Available to supervise research students

Available for media queries

Currently supervised research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
1 PhD Principal supervisor
1 PhD Associate supervisor

Currently supervised research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (1) Principal supervisor
PhD (1) Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

No. of students Study level Role
2 PhD Associate supervisor
2 PhD Principal supervisor
1 Masters by Research Associate supervisor

Completed supervision of research students at VU

Students & level Role
PhD (2) Associate supervisor
PhD (2) Principal supervisor
Masters by Research (1) Associate supervisor

Teaching activities & experience

Unit Coordinator for RBM3800: Pharmacology

Keynote and invited speeches

Year Title/Description
2019

Lifestyle and coronary artery disease

Ausmed Education: The Nurse Health Coach Conference (28-29 October)

2019

Coronary artery disease and homocysteine

Ausmed Education: Chronic Disease Conference (9-10 September)

Professional memberships

  • Secretary, Australian Vascular Biology Society
  • Academic Member, Australian Atherosclerosis Society

Media appearances

28th June 2017

Chilli peppers and weight loss

ABC Melbourne Breakfast Show