How female sex influences the resilience of blood vessel cells to oxidative stress after a stroke

Female sex protects vascular smooth muscle cells from mitochondrial depolarization to oxidative stress

NIH-funded research University of Missouri-Columbia · NIH-11003279

This study is looking at why female cells in blood vessels seem to handle stress from a stroke better than male cells, with the hope of finding new ways to help everyone recover better after a stroke.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Missouri-Columbia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Columbia, United States)
Project IDNIH-11003279 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how female vascular smooth muscle cells are better protected from damage caused by oxidative stress following a stroke compared to male cells. It focuses on understanding the mechanisms behind this protection, particularly in relation to mitochondrial function and calcium signaling. By exploring these sex-based differences, the study aims to identify potential therapeutic targets that could improve recovery after ischemic strokes. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to more effective treatments tailored to their biological sex.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced an ischemic stroke, particularly those interested in understanding sex-based differences in recovery.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced a stroke or those with conditions unrelated to vascular health may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved therapies for stroke recovery that leverage the protective mechanisms found in female vascular cells.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that sex differences can influence cellular responses to stress, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

Columbia, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.