SYMPATHETIC CONTROL OF VASCULAR TONE IN OBESITY: INTERACTION WITH HYPERTENSION

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The role of the sympathetic nervous system in obesity is controversial. Many studies in animals report decreased sympathetic nervous activity. However, sympathoactivation has been shown in human obesity. Enhanced pressor response to norepinephrine has also been reported. Little is known about the contribution of the sympathetic nervous system to basal vascular tone in obesity and in obesity-related hypertension. These investigators aim, therefore, to test the hypothesis that vascular tone is increased in obesity through sympathetically medicated mechanisms. Weight loss is associated with a reduction in arterial pressure. They also hypothesize that decreased weight leads to a reduction in sympathetically mediated vascular tone and thus arterial pressure. This study will provide valuable information about control of vascular tone by the sympathetic nervous system in obesity and obesity related-hypertension. In addition, the results may suggest new approaches for prevention of the cardiovascular complications of obesity.