Grant: CIHR Fellowship

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects one in five Canadians. Hypertension is well-recognized as the major risk factor for heart disease. Despite the fact that hypertension is so prevalent, the underlying causes of this disease are still unknown. Recent studies suggest that a hormone, called aldosterone (aldo), may be produced in excess, which may contribute to blood pressure (BP) elevation. Interestingly, high aldo levels have been found in obese people. Since hypertension is often found in obese patients, it may be possible that fat tissue produces aldo, which may influence function of small blood vessels, which in turn could cause an increase in BP. The aim of my study is to test the hypothesis that aldo is produced by fat tissue (adipocytes) and whether this impacts on the vascular function and BP regulation. These effects may be transmitted through specific proteins (receptors), called mineralocorticoid receptors (MR). We will study various mouse models of chronic disease associated with obesity, such as diabetes and hypertension as well special fat cells that we can isolate from fat tissue from humans and mice. We will also use very special mice that have genetically modified fat cells that express high levels of the specific aldo receptor. I have already generated these mice while I was in Paris. The mice will soon be transported to Ottawa. This study will bring new insights into the mechanisms involved in the evolution of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and will increase the current knowledge of the pathophysiological role of aldo in CVD. Such knowledge will help identify new therapeutic strategies in the improved management of hypertension, which will hopefully prevent target organ damage that leads to heart and kidney diseases, especially in overweight/obese patients, who are particularly at risk. Hopefully this would result in improved control of blood pressure and reduced risk of CVD.