Grant: Operating Grant - PA: Reproductive and Child Heath (start-up grants)

Hypertension or high blood pressure afflicts 1 in 4 adults in Canada and is the major contributing factor for cardiovascular disease, stroke and kidney disease. Currently, the underlying cause of 90-95% of all cases of hypertension is not known. Thus, understanding the potential risk factors and mechanisms involved in hypertension is critical to the development of novel treatments for this disease. Recent studies suggest that early-life environmental factors which influence development of the fetus may cause adult diseases such as hypertension. Studies also demonstrate that the stress hormone, glucocorticoids are involved in fetal programming of adult hypertension. However, the mechanisms by which glucocorticoids causes the development of adult hypertension have not been elucidated. The sympathetic nervous system, in particular, the sympatho-adrenal system is critically important in the regulation of the cardiovascular system, and blood pressure control. Sympathetic hyperactivity is involved in the development of hypertension. These studies will examine impact of fetal glucocorticoid exposure on the development of the sympatho-adrenal system, and its role in the pathogenesis of hypertension post-natally. The knowledge obtained will allow us to better understand the impact of prenatal glucocorticoid exposure on the develop of hypertension and may provide potential molecular targets in the treatment and/or prevention of the disease.