How hormone breakdown products change blood pressure
Angiotensins, Prostaglandins and Adrenergic Interactions
This work looks at whether small molecules made from estrogen and testosterone change how angiotensin raises blood pressure in males and females.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11309602 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, researchers are using mouse models to understand why angiotensin II raises blood pressure differently in males and females. They focus on hormone metabolites made by the enzyme CYP1B1 (like 2-methoxyestradiol and 6b-hydroxytestosterone) and on enzymes in the brain that produce lipid signals (ALOX15 and Cyp4a) that affect blood pressure. The team uses genetic mouse models, brain-targeted viral tools, and blood pressure measurements to see how these pathways interact in the paraventricular nucleus of the brain. Their goal is to link these molecular steps to the bigger problem of sex differences in angiotensin-driven hypertension.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with high blood pressure, especially those with angiotensin-driven hypertension or unexplained sex differences in blood pressure, are the patient groups most likely to benefit from these findings in the future.
Not a fit: Patients whose hypertension is caused by unrelated conditions (for example, certain kidney diseases, endocrine disorders, or structural heart problems) may not see direct benefit from these specific mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If the findings hold up, they could point to new drug targets or strategies to better control high blood pressure and tailor treatments for men and women.
How similar studies have performed: Prior animal data from this group show that changing ALOX15 and Cyp4a activity in the brain can alter angiotensin-induced blood pressure increases in mice, but translation to humans remains untested.
Where this research is happening
Memphis, United States
- University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr — Memphis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malik, Kafait U — University of Tennessee Health Sci Ctr
- Study coordinator: Malik, Kafait U
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.