# Effect of early life stress on obesity-induced hypertension in mice

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2022 · $32,535

## Abstract

Abstract/ scope of work proposed
Obesity promotes hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological
studies have linked early life stress as a modifiable risk factor for increased body mass index
and blood pressure. Using an advantageous mouse model of early life stress that combines
postnatal maternal separation and early weaning (MSEW) with a high fat diet, we have
identified two potential adipose tissue-derived targets implicated in the pathways by which
these mice display exacerbated obesity-induced hypertension. Our preliminary findings
support the novel central hypothesis that postnatal MSEW aggravates obesity-induced HT in
adult life by stimulating adipose afferent reflex (AAR)-mediated sympathetic activation and
adipose tissue-derived angiotensinogen (AGT) secretion. We will test key predictions in two
multilevel specific aims: (1) To test the hypothesis that MSEW heightens obesity-induced
hypertension by stimulating adipose tissue excitatory signals to increase AAR reflex. In this
aim, the applicant will contribute to determine the different neurons that are activated in
response to MSEW mice fed a high fat diet and test the afferent reflex in vivo in female mice;
and (2) To test the hypothesis that MSEW exacerbates obesity-induced hypertension by
increasing AGT secretion in adipose tissue. The applicant will contribute to determine
whether changes in circulating angiotensin II influence the activation of the circuventricular
organs (CVO).

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10413643
- **Project number:** 3R01HL135158-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Analia Loria
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $32,535
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10413643

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10413643, Effect of early life stress on obesity-induced hypertension in mice (3R01HL135158-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10413643. Licensed CC0.

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