Estrogen's effects on uterine blood flow
Actions of Estrogen on Uterine Artery Endothelium
This project looks at how estrogen and a natural gas called hydrogen sulfide help widen uterine blood vessels to increase blood flow during pregnancy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11395027 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will examine uterine artery tissue from pregnant people, comparing samples from normal pregnancies and those with preeclampsia. They will measure the enzyme (CBS) that makes hydrogen sulfide and map protein sulfhydration on key potassium channel subunits (BKCa β1 and γ1). In laboratory experiments they will test how hydrogen sulfide and estrogen alter artery relaxation and channel activity. The goal is to identify molecular changes that reduce uterine blood flow in complicated pregnancies like preeclampsia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are pregnant people who can provide uterine artery samples around delivery or those with or at risk for preeclampsia receiving care at UC Irvine.
Not a fit: People who are not pregnant or who have vascular problems unrelated to the uterus are unlikely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new biomarkers or treatments to improve uterine blood flow and help prevent or treat preeclampsia.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab work has shown hydrogen sulfide can relax uterine arteries and that sulfhydration changes with pregnancy, but turning these findings into clinical treatments remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
Irvine, United States
- University of California-Irvine — Irvine, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Dongbao — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Chen, Dongbao
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.