Estrogen's role in high blood pressure after menopause
Unraveling the Impact of Estrogen Signaling on Postmenopausal Hypertension
This research looks at how estrogen and a related receptor affect blood pressure after menopause using animal models to guide better treatments for postmenopausal women.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11323594 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are studying how loss or activation of a hormone receptor called GPER1 changes kidney sodium channel (ENaC) activity and blood pressure in models of menopause. They made mice lacking GPER1 specifically in kidney collecting duct cells and measured blood pressure, kidney channel activity with electrophysiology, and hormone levels like estrogen and aldosterone. The team also tested drugs that activate GPER1 and observed how prior pregnancy affects blood pressure and hormone production in older females. Results so far show GPER1 loss raises ENaC activity and blood pressure, while GPER1 activation or prior pregnancy can lower blood pressure and alter hormone signals.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Postmenopausal women with high blood pressure who are interested in research on hormone-related causes of hypertension would be the most relevant group.
Not a fit: Younger adults, men, or people whose hypertension is clearly unrelated to menopause or hormone changes may not see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to lower postmenopausal high blood pressure by targeting estrogen signaling or kidney sodium channels.
How similar studies have performed: Early animal studies, including the investigators' preliminary mouse experiments, have shown that targeting GPER1 can alter ENaC activity and blood pressure, but human benefit has not yet been demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, United States
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center — Nashville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gohar, Eman — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gohar, Eman
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.