This application seeks to develop the candidate's scientific growth through a rigorous training plan, within an outstanding scientific environment that has a long tradition in translational vascular research. The candidate's long-term goal is to establish an independent clinical research career studying neurovascular mechanisms of cardiovascular (CV) risk in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). The incidence of CRF is growing at an alarming rate, and the vast majority of these patients die from CV disease. One major independent risk factor for CV mortality in this population is exercise intolerance and poor physical capacity, the mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. Our preliminary data demonstrate that CRF patients have an exaggerated increase in blood pressure (BP) during isometric and rhythmic exercise, suggesting that abnormal hemodynamic responses may play a role. The goals of this project are to examine the mechanisms underlying the exaggerated BP response during exercise in CRF, and to test the potential benefits of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) treatment on neural and vascular responses both during exercise and at baseline. Understanding the hemodynamic mechanisms underlying exercise intolerance will help develop therapeutic targets that are urgently needed to improve physical functioning, quality of life, and ultimately reduce CV mortality in CRF. The BP response during exercise is mediated by a balance between vasoconstrictive forces induced by reflex activation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), and vasodilatory forces induced by nitric oxide (NO)-dependent vasodilatation. Conceivably, an imbalance in these vasoconstrictive and vasodilatory responses during exercise could lead to an augmented BP response and contribute to exercise dysfunction by increasing myocardial workload, as well as increase the risk of adverse CV events during physical activity.
In aim 1, we will determine if CRF patients have exaggerated reflex SNS activation during exercise by measuring changes in SNS activity during static and rhythmic exercise using microneurography.
In Aim 2, we will determine if CRF patients have impaired exercise-induced NO-mediated vasodilation, by measuring changes in brachial artery flow-mediated vasodilatation in response to whole-body exercise. Acute exercise also generates an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that stimulates neural SNS outflow, as well as decreases NO bioavailability.
Aim 2 b will determine if CRF patients have greater production of ROS (i.e. oxidative stress) during acute exercise that contributes to the exaggerated pressor response. Finally, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an essential cofactor for endothelial NO synthase that improves endothelial function and BP in animal models of CRF by increasing NO bioavailability.
In Aim 3, we will conduct the first pilot trial to test the effects of oral BH4 treatment on SNS overactivity, endothelial dysfunction, and oxidative stress, both at rest and during exercise in CRF patients. We hypothesize that BH4 may be a novel therapeutic agent with potential to impact exercise tolerance, as well as CV morbidity and mortality in patients with CRF.

Public Health Relevance

The incidence of chronic renal failure (CRF) is growing at an alarming rate in the U.S., and these patients suffer from poor physical capacity and exercise intolerance, which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) mortality in this population. The study of abnormal hemodynamic responses during exercise in CRF patients will give insight into mechanisms of baseline neurovascular and endothelial abnormalities that contribute to increased CV risk, and help develop therapeutic targets that are urgently needed to improve physical functioning, and ultimately reduce CV mortality. BH4 therapy may be such a novel therapeutic agent that has the potential to impact exercise tolerance, as well as decrease baseline cardiovascular risk in patients with CRF.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23)
Project #
5K23HL098744-02
Application #
8111049
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZHL1-CSR-R (O1))
Program Officer
Kaufmann, Peter G
Project Start
2010-07-15
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2011-05-01
Budget End
2012-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2011
Total Cost
$133,650
Indirect Cost
Name
Emory University
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
066469933
City
Atlanta
State
GA
Country
United States
Zip Code
30322
Downey, Ryan M; Liao, Peizhou; Millson, Erin C et al. (2017) Endothelial dysfunction correlates with exaggerated exercise pressor response during whole body maximal exercise in chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 312:F917-F924
Park, Jeanie; Liao, Peizhou; Sher, Salman et al. (2015) Tetrahydrobiopterin lowers muscle sympathetic nerve activity and improves augmentation index in patients with chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 308:R208-18
Park, Jeanie; Middlekauff, Holly R (2015) Abnormal neurocirculatory control during exercise in humans with chronic renal failure. Auton Neurosci 188:74-81
Middlekauff, Holly R; Park, Jeanie; Moheimani, Roya S (2014) Adverse effects of cigarette and noncigarette smoke exposure on the autonomic nervous system: mechanisms and implications for cardiovascular risk. J Am Coll Cardiol 64:1740-50
Park, Jeanie; Lyles, Robert H; Bauer-Wu, Susan (2014) Mindfulness meditation lowers muscle sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in African-American males with chronic kidney disease. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 307:R93-R101
Middlekauff, Holly R; Park, Jeanie; Agrawal, Harsh et al. (2013) Abnormal sympathetic nerve activity in women exposed to cigarette smoke: a potential mechanism to explain increased cardiac risk. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 305:H1560-7
Park, Jeanie; Quyyumi, Arshed A; Middlekauff, Holly R (2013) Exercise pressor response and arterial baroreflex unloading during exercise in chronic kidney disease. J Appl Physiol (1985) 114:538-49
Park, Jeanie (2012) Cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease: role of the sympathetic nervous system. Cardiol Res Pract 2012:319432
Park, Jeanie; Middlekauff, Holly R; Campese, Vito M (2012) Abnormal sympathetic reactivity to the cold pressor test in overweight humans. Am J Hypertens 25:1236-41
Middlekauff, Holly R; Park, Jeanie; Gornbein, Jeffrey A (2012) Lack of effect of ovarian cycle and oral contraceptives on baroreceptor and nonbaroreceptor control of sympathetic nerve activity in healthy women. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 302:H2560-6

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