Several conditions with increased cardiovascular risk, such as obesity, hypertension and congestive heart failure, are characterized by both an increase in sympathetic activity and impairment of nitric oxide (NO) function. NO is known to modulate sympathetic activity, but less is know about the potential role of sympathetic activity on nitric oxide function. Recent data from our laboratory and the literature suggest a negative interaction between sympathetic activity and NO function, whereby conditions associated with sympathetic activation are accompanied by NO dysfunction. We propose that this interaction is particularly important in obesity associated hypertension. We hypothesized that the sympathetic activation characteristic of obesity-associated hypertension, contributes to the impairment in NO function reported in this condition.
In Specific Aim 1 we propose to test the hypothesis that acute autonomic withdrawal will improve NO function in resistance vessels. We have previously shown that administration of the ganglionic blocker trimethaphan can be safely used in humans to induce transient and complete autonomic withdrawal. We and other have previously shown that obese individuals have an impaired response to NO-mediated dilation using the forearm circulation as a model. We propose to determine if this impaired NO- mediated dilation can be restored with acute autonomic withdrawal with trimethaphan. Our preliminary studies also suggest that sympathetic activation can contribute to other abnormalities observed in obesity. Thus, in Specific Aim 2 we propose to extend these studies by inhibiting central sympathetic outflow chronically, and determine the effects of this intervention on NO-mediated dilation, insulin resistance, and on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Public Health Relevance

The findings of the present proposal will serve to improve our understanding of the mechanisms involved in obesity-associated hypertension with the ultimate goal of improving the treatment of this condition. If our hypothesis is true, our results will indicate that the sympathetic nervous system should be targeted in the treatment of obesity hypertension.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23HL095905-04
Application #
8434918
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CSR-R (O1))
Program Officer
Scott, Jane
Project Start
2010-03-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2013-03-01
Budget End
2014-02-28
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$150,874
Indirect Cost
$11,324
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
Gamboa, Alfredo; Figueroa, Rocío; Paranjape, Sachin Y et al. (2016) Autonomic Blockade Reverses Endothelial Dysfunction in Obesity-Associated Hypertension. Hypertension 68:1004-10
Marinos, Alejandro; Celedonio, Jorge E; Ramirez, Claudia E et al. (2015) Time-Course Analysis of Flow Mediated Dilation for the Evaluation of Endothelial Function After a High-Fat Meal in African Americans. J Am Heart Assoc 4:
Gamboa, Alfredo; Paranjape, Sachin Y; Black, Bonnie K et al. (2015) Inspiratory resistance improves postural tachycardia: a randomized study. Circ Arrhythm Electrophysiol 8:651-8
Figueroa, Rocío A; Arnold, Amy C; Nwazue, Victor C et al. (2014) Acute volume loading and exercise capacity in postural tachycardia syndrome. J Appl Physiol (1985) 117:663-8
Okamoto, Luis E; Gamboa, Alfredo; Shibao, Cyndya A et al. (2014) Nebivolol, but not metoprolol, lowers blood pressure in nitric oxide-sensitive human hypertension. Hypertension 64:1241-7
Gamboa, Alfredo; Okamoto, Luis E; Arnold, Amy C et al. (2014) Autonomic blockade improves insulin sensitivity in obese subjects. Hypertension 64:867-74
Ramirez, Claudia E; Okamoto, Luis E; Arnold, Amy C et al. (2014) Efficacy of atomoxetine versus midodrine for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension in autonomic failure. Hypertension 64:1235-40
Arnold, Amy C; Ramirez, Claudia E; Choi, Leena et al. (2014) Combination ergotamine and caffeine improves seated blood pressure and presyncopal symptoms in autonomic failure. Front Physiol 5:270
Arnold, Amy C; Okamoto, Luis E; Gamboa, Alfredo et al. (2013) Angiotensin II, independent of plasma renin activity, contributes to the hypertension of autonomic failure. Hypertension 61:701-6
Gamboa, Alfredo; Okamoto, Luis E; Raj, Satish R et al. (2013) Nitric oxide and regulation of heart rate in patients with postural tachycardia syndrome and healthy subjects. Hypertension 61:376-81

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