@article{
author = "Marković, Vladimir M. and Čupić, Željko and Macesic, Stevan and Stanojevic, Ana and Vukojevic, Vladana and Kolar-Anić, Ljiljana",
year = "2016",
abstract = "A mathematical model of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis with cholesterol as a dynamical variable was derived to investigate the effects of cholesterol, the primary precursor of all steroid hormones, on the ultradian and circadian HPA axis activity. To develop the model, the parameter space was systematically examined by stoichiometric network analysis to identify conditions for ultradian oscillations, determine conditions under which dynamic transitions, i.e. bifurcations occur and identify bifurcation types. The bifurcations were further characterized using numerical simulations. Model predictions agree well with empirical findings reported in the literature, indicating that cholesterol levels may critically affect the global dynamics of the HPA axis. The proposed model provides a base for better understanding of experimental observations, it may be used as a tool for designing experiments and offers useful insights into the characteristics of basic dynamic regulatory mechanisms that, when impaired, may lead to the development of some modern-lifestyle-associated diseases.",
publisher = "Oxford Univ Press, Oxford",
journal = "Mathematical Medicine and Biology-A Journal of the Ima",
title = "Modelling cholesterol effects on the dynamics of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis",
volume = "33",
number = "1",
pages = "1-28",
doi = "10.1093/imammb/dqu020"
}