Obesity's role in blood pressure and insulin resistance in PCOS

Role of obesity in blood pressure regulation and insulin resistance in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

NIH-funded research University of Mississippi Med Ctr · NIH-11235104

This work explores how excess body fat and male hormones affect blood pressure and insulin resistance in women with PCOS.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Mississippi Med Ctr NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Jackson, United States)
Project IDNIH-11235104 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient's point of view, the team is looking at how high androgen levels, body fat, and hormone systems inside fat tissue interact to raise blood pressure and cause insulin resistance in PCOS. They will study blood and fat tissue from women with PCOS and use lab models, including 3-D cell approaches, to examine the classical and nonclassical renin-angiotensin systems in adipose tissue and adiponectin levels. The project compares lean and obese women with PCOS to separate obesity-dependent from obesity-independent effects of hyperandrogenemia. The goal is to pinpoint fat-tissue pathways that could be targeted to improve metabolic and blood pressure problems in PCOS.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Women of reproductive age diagnosed with PCOS—including both lean and obese individuals and those with insulin resistance or elevated blood pressure—would be the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Men, people without PCOS, or those whose blood pressure or insulin problems come from unrelated conditions are unlikely to benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify new treatment targets in fat tissue to lower blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity for women with PCOS.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked adipose RAS and adiponectin to blood pressure and insulin sensitivity, but applying these findings specifically to develop PCOS treatments is relatively new.

Where this research is happening

Jackson, 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 2026-06-13 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.