Published Papers
Original Research
Rojo-Wissar DM, Womack SR, Baka T, Spira AP, Davidson RD, Zhou ES, Alfano CA, Jackson CL, Grandner MA, Parade SH. Biological Indicators of Cardiovascular Health by Foster Care History in Adults. Am J Prev Med. 2026; 70(1):108097.
Original Research
Szighardtova M, Aziriova S, Stanko P, Repova K, Baka T, Krajcirovicova K, Zorad S, Adamcova M, Sabaka P, Borbélyová V, Simko F. Effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan, Ivabradine, and Captopril on Anxiety-like Behavior in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats. Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(22):10905.
Original Research
Baka T, Moore J, Qin F, Yurista SR, Zhang A, He H, Chambers JM, Croteau D, Goel RK, Smith H, Wang MC, Chen CS, Hobai IA, Rombaldova M, Kuda O, Tardiff JC, Balschi JA, Pimentel DR, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Emili A, Colucci WS, Luptak I. Empagliflozin enhances metabolic efficiency and improves left ventricular hypertrophy in a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mouse model. Eur Heart J. 2025; 46(40):4105-4119.
Original Research
Chambers JM, Croteau D, Pimentel DR, Gower AC, Panagia M, Baka T, Qin F, Luptak I, Colucci WS. SGLT2 inhibitor upregulates myocardial genes for oxidative phosphorylation and fatty acid metabolism in Gαq-mice. J Mol Cell Cardiol Plus. 2025; 12:100296.
Comment
Baka T, Rojo-Wissar DM, Simko F.
Considering chronotype to improve hypertension management.
EClinicalMedicine. 2024; 75:102768.
Comment
Simko F, Baka T. Pharmacological stimulation of the parasympathetic system - a promising means of cardioprotection in heart failure.
Hypertens Res. 2024; 47(8):2217-2220.
Original Research
Stanko P, Repova K, Baka T, Krajcirovicova K, Aziriova S, Barta A, Zorad S, Adamcova M, Simko F. Sacubitril/Valsartan Alleviates Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction in L-NAME-Induced Hypertension and Hypertensive Heart Disease. Biomedicines. 2024; 12(4):733.
Original Research
Simko F, Stanko P, Repova K, Baka T, Krajcirovicova K, Aziriova S, Domenig O, Zorad S, Adamcova M, Paulis L. Effect of sacubitril/valsartan on the hypertensive heart in continuous light-induced and lactacystin-induced pre-hypertension: Interactions with the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Biomed Pharmacother. 2024; 173:116391.
Original Research
Cacanyiova S, Cebova M, Simko F, Baka T, Bernatova I, Kluknavsky M, Zorad S, Krskova K, Shaman E, Zemancikova A, Barta A, Aydemir BG, Berenyiova A. The effect of zofenopril on the cardiovascular system of spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with the ACE2 inhibitor MLN-4760. Biol Res. 2023; 56(1):55.
Original Research
Baka T, Stanko P, Repova K, Aziriova S, Krajcirovicova K, Barta A, Zorad S, Simko F. Ivabradine curbs isoproterenol-induced kidney fibrosis. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2023; 42(2):209-215.
Original Research
Croteau D*, Baka T*, Young S, He H, Chambers JM, Qin F, Panagia M, Pimentel DR, Balschi JA, Colucci WS, Luptak I. SGLT2 inhibitor ertugliflozin decreases elevated intracellular sodium, and improves energetics and contractile function in diabetic cardiomyopathy. Biomed Pharmacother. 2023; 160:114310.*co-first authorship
Review
Repova K, Baka T, Krajcirovicova K, Stanko P, Aziriova S, Reiter RJ, Simko F.
Melatonin as a Potential Approach to Anxiety Treatment.
Int J Mol Sci. 2022; 23(24):16187.
Original Research
Repova K*, Stanko P*, Baka T*, Krajcirovicova K, Aziriova S, Hrenak J, Barta A, Zorad S, Reiter RJ, Adamcova M, Simko F. Lactacystin-induced kidney fibrosis: Protection by melatonin and captopril. Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13:978337.*co-first authorship
Original Research
Simko F*, Baka T*, Stanko P, Repova K, Krajcirovicova K, Aziriova S, Domenig O, Zorad S, Adamcova M, Paulis L. Sacubitril/Valsartan and Ivabradine Attenuate Left Ventricular Remodelling and Dysfunction in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Different Interactions with the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System. Biomedicines. 2022; 10(8):1844.*co-first authorship
Comment
Simko F, Baka T.
Chronotherapy of cardiovascular pathologies: a hopeful strategy.
Ther Adv Chronic Dis. 2022; 13:20406223221092372.
Perspective
Baka T, Repova K, Luptak I, Simko F.
Ivabradine in the Management of COVID-19-related Cardiovascular Complications: A Perspective. Curr Pharm Des. 2022; 28(19):1581-1588.
Comment
Simko F, Baka T. Commentary: Effect of Angiotensin-Converting-Enzyme Inhibitor and Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist Treatment on ACE2 Expression and SARS-CoV-2 Replication in Primary Airway Epithelial Cells. Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13:842512.
Comment
Baka T, Domínguez-Rodríguez A, Simko F. Consideration of nondipping heart rate during ambulatory blood pressure monitoring to improve cardiovascular risk assessment. Rev Esp Cardiol (Engl Ed). 2022; 75(4):355-356.
Original Research
He H, Baka T, Balschi J, Motani AS, Nguyen KK, Liu Q, Slater R, Rock B, Wang C, Hale C, Karamanlidis G, Hartman JJ, Malik FI, Reagan JD, Luptak I. Novel Small-Molecule Troponin Activator Increases Cardiac Contractile Function Without Negative Impact on Energetics. Circ Heart Fail. 2022; 15(3):e009195.
Perspective
Baka T, Simko F. Monitoring Non-dipping Heart Rate by Consumer-Grade Wrist-Worn Devices: An Avenue for Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Hypertension. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021; 8:711417.
Comment
Simko F*, Baka T*. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers: potential allies in the COVID-19 pandemic instead of a threat? Clin Sci (Lond). 2021; 135(8):1009-1014.*co-first authorship
Perspective
Simko F, Baka T.
Ivabradine and Blood Pressure Reduction: Underlying Pleiotropic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021; 8:607998.
Original Research
Simko F, Baka T, Repova K, Aziriova S, Krajcirovicova K, Paulis L, Adamcova M. Ivabradine improves survival and attenuates cardiac remodeling in isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury. Fundam Clin Pharmacol. 2021; 35(4):744-748.
Original Research
Stanko P*, Baka T*, Repova K, Aziriova S, Krajcirovicova K, Barta A, Janega P, Adamcova M, Paulis L, Simko F. Ivabradine Ameliorates Kidney Fibrosis in L-NAME-Induced Hypertension. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020; 7:325.*co-first authorship
Original Research
Panagia M, He H, Baka T, Pimentel DR, Croteau D, Bachschmid MM, Balschi JA, Colucci WS, Luptak I. Increasing mitochondrial ATP synthesis with butyrate normalizes ADP and contractile function in metabolic heart disease. NMR Biomed. 2020; 33(5):e4258.
Hypothesis
Baka T, Simko F.
Ivabradine modulates the autonomic nervous system by affecting the "little brain" of the heart: A hypothesis. Med Hypotheses. 2019; 129:109253.
Original Research
Luptak I, Morgan R, Baka T, Croteau D, Moverman D, Sarnak H, Kirber M, Bachschmid MM, Colucci WS, Pimentel DR. Genetically targeted fluorescent probes reveal dynamic calcium responses to adrenergic signaling in multiple cardiomyocyte compartments. Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 2019; 114:105569.
Perspective
Simko F, Baka T.
Chronotherapy as a potential approach to hypertensive patients with elevated heart rate? Br J Clin Pharmacol. 2019; 85(8):1861-1862.
Original Research
Repova K, Aziriova S, Kovacova D, Trubacova S, Baka T, Kanska R, Barta A, Stanko P, Zorad S, Molcan L, Adamcova M, Paulis L, Simko F. Lisinopril reverses behavioural alterations in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2019; 38(3):265-270.
Original Research
Baka T, Simko F.
Ivabradine reversed nondipping heart rate in rats with l-NAME-induced hypertension. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2019; 46(6):607-610.
Original Research
Krajcirovicova K, Aziriova S, Baka T, Repova K, Adamcova M, Paulis L, Simko F. Ivabradine does not impair anxiety-like behavior and memory in both healthy and L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. Physiol Res. 2018; 67(Suppl 4):S655-S664.
Original Research
Simko F, Baka T, Poglitsch M, Repova K, Aziriova S, Krajcirovicova K, Zorad S, Adamcova M, Paulis L. Effect of Ivabradine on a Hypertensive Heart and the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in L-NAME-Induced Hypertension. Int J Mol Sci. 2018; 19(10):3017.
Original Research
Repova K, Krajcirovicova K, Mullerova M, Aziriova S, Baka T, Zorad S, Slavkovsky P, Hodosy J, Celec P, Adamcova M, Paulis L, Simko F. Effect of melatonin on the behaviour of rats with continuous light-induced hypertension. Gen Physiol Biophys. 2018; 37(4):469-473.
Original Research
Baka T, Hodosy J, Krajcirovicova K, Repova K, Aziriova S, Domonkos E, Borbelyova V, Slavkovsky P, Zorad S, Celec P, Paulis L, Simko F. 17β-Estradiol treatment reversed left ventricular dysfunction in castrated male rats: an echocardiographic study. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2018; 96(8):850-854.
Perspective
Baka T, Simko F.
Nondipping heart rate: A neglected cardiovascular risk factor based on autonomic imbalance? Auton Neurosci. 2018; 210:83-84.
Original Research
Adamcova M, Baka T, Dolezelova E, Aziriova S, Krajcirovicova K, Karesova I, Stanko P, Repova K, Simko F. Relations between markers of cardiac remodelling and left ventricular collagen in an isoproterenol-induced heart damage model. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2019; 70(1):71-77.
Original Research
Simko F, Baka T, Krajcirovicova K, Repova K, Aziriova S, Zorad S, Poglitsch M, Adamcova M, Reiter RJ, Paulis L. Effect of Melatonin on the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System in l-NAME-Induced Hypertension. Molecules. 2018; 23(2):265.
Original Research
Aziriova S, Repova K, Krajcirovicova K, Baka T, Zorad S, Mojto V, Slavkovsky P, Hodosy J, Adamcova M, Paulis L, Simko F. Effect of ivabradine, captopril and melatonin on the behaviour of rats in L-nitro-arginine methyl ester-induced hypertension. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2016; 67(6):895-902.
Review
Simko F, Baka T, Paulis L, Reiter RJ.
Elevated heart rate and nondipping heart rate as potential targets for melatonin: a review. J Pineal Res. 2016; 61(2):127-37.
Meeting Abstracts
Baka T, Qin F, Hamidova Z, Balschi J, Sam F, Luptak I. Skeletal Muscle-Targeted Therapies: A Novel Approach to Combat Diabetic Cardiomyopathy in Obesity. J Mol Cell Cardiol Plus. 2026; 15(Suppl):100572.
XXV World Congress, International Society for Heart Research; May 11-14, 2025; Nara, Japan
Baka T, Qin F, Zhang A, Seta F, Pimentel D, Sam F, Luptak I. Increased Skeletal Muscle Mass Normalizes Cardiac Metabolic Pathways and Attenuates Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy. Circulation. 2025; 152(Suppl_3):4367510.
American Heart Association's 2025 Scientific Sessions and the American Heart Association's 2025 Resuscitation Science Symposium; November 7–10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA
Qin F, Pimentel D, Baka T, Zhang A, Croteau D, Luptak I, Colucci W. Dual SGLT1 and 2 Inhibition with Sotagliflozin Ameliorates Adverse Cardiac Remodeling and Diastolic Dysfunction in Mice with HCM Due to Tropomyosin E180G Mutation. Circulation. 2025; 152(Suppl_3):4343284.
American Heart Association's 2025 Scientific Sessions and the American Heart Association's 2025 Resuscitation Science Symposium; November 7–10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA
Baka T, Qin F, Zhang A, Yurista S, Pimentel D, Kotagiri V, Smith H, Lehar A, Stoklasek T, Colucci W, Lee SJ, Luptak I. Targeting Skeletal Muscle Growth Improves Diastolic Dysfunction and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Obesity-Related Diabetic Cardiomyopathy. Circulation. 2024; 150(Suppl_1):4147616.
American Heart Association's 2024 Scientific Sessions and the American Heart Association's 2024 Resuscitation Science Symposium; November 16–18, 2024; Chicago, IL, USA
Baka T, Qin F, Yurista S, Pimentel D, Hwee D, Malik F, Tardiff J, Colucci W, Luptak I. CK-271 Myosin Inhibition Enhances Myocardial Energetics, Reduces Hypertrophy, and Improves Diastolic Function and Exercise Tolerance in Troponin R92L-Mutant Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Mouse Model. J Card Fail. 2024; 30(Suppl 2):S13-S14.
2024 Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Medical Society (HCMS) Scientific Sessions;
September 27, 2024; Atlanta, GA, USA
Rojo-Wissar D, Davidson R, Zhou E, Baka T, Parade S, Spira A. Associations between sleep and cardiovascular health among adults who experienced foster care as children. Sleep Med. 2024; 115(Suppl 1):S91.
17th World Sleep Congress, World Sleep Society;
October 20–25, 2023; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Baka T, Moore J, Qin F, He H, Chambers JM, Croteau D, Goel R, Zhang A, Smith H, Balschi JA, Pimentel DR, Seidman CE, Seidman JG, Emili A, Colucci WS, Luptak I. SGLT2 Inhibitor Empagliflozin Increases Fatty Acid Oxidation, Coupling Between Glycolysis and Glucose Oxidation, and Decreases Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Mice With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Due to Myosin R403Q Mutation. Circulation. 2023; 148(Suppl_1):15515.
American Heart Association's 2023 Scientific Sessions and the American Heart Association's 2023 Resuscitation Science Symposium; November 11–13, 2023; Philadelphia, PA, USA