Increased renal sinus fat (RSF) in humans is associated with hypertension and renal insufficiency. Obese animals have increased RSF that is associated with marked increases in renal interstitial pressures, suggesting a compressive force on the kidneys. This compression may slow flow in the renal tubules and thereby increase sodium reabsorption, especially in the loop of Henle located in the renal medulla. Consistent with this hypothesis is the finding that obesity results in sodium retention due to increased renal sodium reabsorption and compensatory glomerular hyperfiltration. However, the mechanisms responsible for increased sodium reabsorption are not fully understood, especially in humans. Elucidating the mechanisms and site of these pathological changes will provide a rational approach to developing prevention and treatment strategies for obesity-induced hypertension and renal injury. We propose to use novel magnetic resonance (MR) imaging techniques to evaluate RSF and renal medullary oxygenation in 25 obese hypertensive compared to 25 non-obese hypertensive, 25 obese non-hypertensive, and 25 non-obese non-hypertensive humans. Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) MR is a non-invasive imaging technique that can detect levels of tissue oxygenation in humans. To assess the relationship between RSF and sodium reabsorption in the renal medulla, we will measure oxygenation in the renal medulla with BOLD imaging before and after furosemide which inhibits loop of Henle sodium chloride reabsorption. We hypothesize that administration of furosemide will result in greater inhibition of renal medullary sodium reabsorption thereby decreasing oxygen consumption and causing greater BOLD signal increases in obese hypertensives with more RSF than in normal weight hypertensives and non-obese non-hypertensives controls. Although obesity-hypertension is associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, it remains unclear if these changes are linked to RSF accumulation. Therefore, we will also evaluate plasma renin and aldosterone levels and urinary catecholamines to determine their relationships to RSF. To accomplish these aims, the principal investigator will work with a multidisciplinary team including leaders in the fields of renal physiology and obesity-hypertension, clinical nephrology, and cardiovascular/renal imaging. This research will provide the investigator with the necessary tools to translate basic pathophysiologic mechanisms into potential prevention and treatment strategies for a complex and prevalent, clinical disorder. The proposed research will also facilitate the development of the investigator as an independent physician scientist and the data derived from these experiments will be used to apply for R01 funding.

Public Health Relevance

Obesity is a major health concern and recent estimates indicate that over 78 million Americans are obese. Visceral obesity, and specifically increased renal sinus fat, is now recognized as an independent contributor to hypertension and renal disease. However, the mechanisms by which specific fat depots contribute to these disorders are not fully understood. The proposed studies will use state-of-the-art imaging methods in obese humans to determine the mechanisms that link increased renal sinus fat to kidney dysfunction and hypertension. These studies may also provide a new diagnostic tool as well as improved strategies for treating obesity associated hypertension and renal injury.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DK099415-02
Application #
9135411
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1-GRB-G (O2))
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2015-09-01
Project End
2020-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
$149,449
Indirect Cost
$9,879
Name
University of Mississippi Medical Center
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
928824473
City
Jackson
State
MS
Country
United States
Zip Code
39216
Kamimura, Daisuke; Suzuki, Takeki; Wang, Wanmei et al. (2018) Higher plasma leptin levels are associated with reduced left ventricular mass and left ventricular diastolic stiffness in black women: insights from the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Arteriopathy (GENOA) study. Hypertens Res 41:629-638
Hall, Michael E (2018) Body Mass Index and Heart Failure Mortality: More Is Less? JACC Heart Fail 6:243-245
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Hall, Michael E; Jordan, Jennifer H; Juncos, Luis A et al. (2018) BOLD magnetic resonance imaging in nephrology. Int J Nephrol Renovasc Dis 11:103-112
Kamimura, Daisuke; Suzuki, Takeki; Hall, Michael E et al. (2018) Diastolic wall strain is associated with incident heart failure in African Americans: Insights from the atherosclerosis risk in communities study. J Cardiol 71:477-483
Edwards, Kristin S; Ashraf, Sadia; Lomax, Tyler M et al. (2018) Uncoupling protein 3 deficiency impairs myocardial fatty acid oxidation and contractile recovery following ischemia/reperfusion. Basic Res Cardiol 113:47
Ball, Jana P; Syed, Maryam; Marañon, Rodrigo O et al. (2017) Role and Regulation of MicroRNAs in Aldosterone-Mediated Cardiac Injury and Dysfunction in Male Rats. Endocrinology 158:1859-1874
Kamimura, Daisuke; Suzuki, Takeki; Furniss, Anna L et al. (2017) Elevated serum osteoprotegerin is associated with increased left ventricular mass index and myocardial stiffness. J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown) 18:954-961
Hall, Michael E; Halinski, Joseph A; Skelton, Thomas N et al. (2017) Left Ventricular False Tendons are Associated With Left Ventricular Dilation and Impaired Systolic and Diastolic Function. Am J Med Sci 354:278-284
Kamimura, Daisuke; Loprinzi, Paul D; Wang, Wanmei et al. (2017) Physical Activity Is Associated With Reduced Left Ventricular Mass in Obese and Hypertensive African Americans. Am J Hypertens 30:617-623

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