# Stress, Vascular Function, and Inflammation as Mechanisms of Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Risk

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON · 2022 · $132,684

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this K01 proposal is to facilitate the applicant's transition to an independent research career
focused on stress and sex hormone biology to understand mechanisms of sex differences in cardiovascular
disease and potential disparities among women. Training components for the proposed research will include
direct clinical training in stress testing and vascular physiology, new training in sex hormones and measures of
ovarian function, faculty career development, active mentoring, and completion of the proposed research. The
premise of this research project is based on preliminary data from the applicant's own research which suggest
that compared to men, women (and particularly, younger women) with coronary heart disease have distinct
vascular mechanisms in relation to stress and myocardial ischemia, and have higher basal and stress-related
inflammation. We have also reported that women ≤ 60 years of age are more likely to develop myocardial
ischemia during mental stress than men of similar age. The underlying explanation for these sex differences is
unknown; however, one potential mechanism involves sex hormone biology among premenopausal women
and across the menopausal transition. Stress may impair female reproduction through diminished ovarian
reserve and induce earlier age at menopause, which have been associated with cardiovascular risk, possibly
through sex hormone-related pathways influencing immune response, vascular, and cardiac function. The
overall goal of this project is to understand mechanisms for sex differences in inflammatory and vascular
responses to mental stress, and the role of ovarian function and menopausal status among women. The
applicant will leverage the infrastructure of the Myocardial Infarction and Mental Stress Study 2 (MIMS2:
R01HL109413), which was recently renewed for a new enrollment wave (MIMS3: 2R01HL109413). The two
waves will total 300 men and 300 women with a recent myocardial infarction (MI), ≤ 60 years of age. The
applicant will add the collection of data on anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a biomarker of ovarian reserve and
menopausal status in women and examine AMH levels in relation to stress responses. The applicant will also
recruit a sample of healthy women (n = 100) matched for age to the post-MI women, for comparison of AMH
levels and age at menopause. The scientific aims of this project are to: 1) Examine sex differences in
inflammation and vascular function at baseline and in response to mental stress and the role of gonadal aging
by comparing young and middle-aged women and men; 2) Examine and compare inflammatory and vascular
profiles and gonadal aging and age at menopause with age-matched control women; and 3) Examine whether
psychosocial stressors such as depression, early life adversity, discrimination, and neighborhood disadvantage
are associated with gonadal aging (lower AMH levels) in women with a recent MI and age matched controls.
The new enrollment of patients and co...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10470967
- **Project number:** 5K01HL149982-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCI CTR HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Samaah M Sullivan
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $132,684
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-08-10 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10470967

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10470967, Stress, Vascular Function, and Inflammation as Mechanisms of Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Risk (5K01HL149982-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10470967. Licensed CC0.

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