How aging changes the kidney's control of blood pressure

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

As people age, kidney function and blood pressure control often worsen, and this project focuses on a possible cause: changes in renal stem cell-derived exosomes. The team will isolate these exosomes and study how they affect kidney cells and salt handling using laboratory and physiological models. They will compare exosome levels and effects in younger versus older systems to see if reduced exosomes link to age-related salt sensitivity and hypertension. Findings will aim to clarify whether restoring or targeting these exosomes could prevent or reverse age-related kidney problems and high blood pressure.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
  Memphis, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Sun, Zhongjie — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
• Study coordinator: Sun, Zhongjie

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• How blood pressure and heart rate recovery after everyday stresses relate to vascular health and early brain aging

  This work looks at whether how your blood pressure and heart rate bounce back after everyday stresses can signal higher risk for heart disease, organ damage, memory decline, or early Alzheimer's.

  NIH research University of Texas Hlth Science Center · San Antonio, United States · NIH-11323940

• Understanding how aging affects kidney function and blood pressure

  This study is looking at how getting older affects kidney health and blood pressure, especially how salt sensitivity plays a role, and it’s for older adults who want to understand more about managing these common health issues.

  NIH research University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr · Memphis, United States · NIH-11063175

• Understanding how blood pressure and heart rate respond to stress and their impact on aging and Alzheimer's disease

  This study is looking at how your blood pressure and heart rate change when you're stressed or active, to see if these changes can help us understand your heart and brain health better, especially as you age.

  NIH research University of Texas Hlth Science Center · San Antonio, United States · NIH-11056030

• How aging affects blood pressure control and kidney function

  This study is looking at how getting older affects high blood pressure and why older adults often have a harder time managing it, with the hope of finding better treatments for them.

  NIH research Emory University · Atlanta, United States · NIH-10893843

• Investigating how a specific olfactory receptor affects blood pressure as we age

  This study is looking at how a specific smell receptor in the body might affect blood pressure as we get older, especially in both men and women, including those who have gone through menopause, to help us understand how aging and gender can influence heart health.

  NIH research Johns Hopkins University · Baltimore, United States · NIH-10840448

• Actions to Decrease Disparities in Blood Pressure Control for Blacks

  Aiming to help Black patients manage high blood pressure by using nurses, community health workers, and home monitoring in real-world clinics.

  NIH research New York University School of Medicine · New York, United States · NIH-11644510

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.