Estrogen, Hypertension, and the Postmenopausal Kidney
Description: Hypertension is a significant risk factor for the development of kidney disease. Although renal diseases are less common in women compared to men, this trend reverses in postmenopausal women, suggesting a protective role for estrogen. However, there is limited knowledge, both in animal and clinical research, about the effects of menopausal hormone therapy in women with hypertension. Our previous research demonstrated that selective GPER activation protects against salt-induced renal damage in mRen2 transgenic rats. In our new preliminary study, we developed a hypertensive menopausal rat model by simultaneously performing ovariectomy and angiotensin II infusion in middle age. We found that estradiol induces renal damage in hypertensive, but not normotensive, menopausal rats. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that estradiol shifts from being anti-inflammatory to pro-inflammatory in the hypertensive middle-aged menopausal kidney, but that selective GPER activation can preserve estrogen’s protective renal effects. To test this hypothesis, we will pursue two specific aims: (1) examine the effects of estradiol on inflammation and kidney damage in hypertensive menopausal rats, with a focus on the roles of different estrogen receptors; and (2) investigate whether selective activation of GPER can mitigate the harmful effects of estradiol and improve renal outcomes. This proposal will form the foundation for an independent research program investigating the renal effects of estrogen in preclinical research and identifying potential menopausal therapeutic targets. Additionally, this proposal will provide customized training on new techniques for the measurement of blood pressure (telemetry), renal function (transdermal glomerular filtration rate), and inflammation (flow cytometry). My ultimate goal is to enhance the quality of life and health outcomes for aging women who are prescribed menopausal hormone therapy.
Funder: American Heart Association
Amount: $170,900
Funding type: fellowship
Funder scheme: Postdoctoral Fellowship
Start date: 2025-01-01
End date: 2026-12-31
Investigators: Ana Paula Leite, Ana Paula Leite
Institution: Tulane University Health Sciences Center
Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Funded outputs count: 0
Funder award ID: 25POST1375284
OpenAlex ID: G4623795490