Altered baroreflex sensitivity in young women with a family history of hypertension.

A positive family history of hypertension (+FH) is a risk factor for the future development of hypertension. Hypertension is associated with reductions in baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). Therefore, we hypothesized that young women with a +FH [ n = 12, 22 ± 1 yr, body mass index (BMI) 21 ± 1 kg/m, mean arterial pressure (MAP) 79 ± 1 mmHg] would have lower BRS compared with young women without a family history of hypertension (-FH) ( n = 13, 22 ± 1 yr, BMI 21 ± 1 kg/m, MAP 77 ± 2 mmHg, all P > 0.

Ovarian hormones modulate endothelin-1 receptor responses in young women.

Objective: We recently demonstrated ETB mediate vasodilation in young but not postmenopausal women; it is unclear if this is related to age or a decline in ovarian hormones. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that ETB responses are modulated by ovarian hormones.

Methods: We measured cutaneous vasodilatory responses in 12 young women (22 ± 1 years, 23 ± 1 kg/m ) during the ML (days 20-25) and EF (days 2-5) phases of the menstrual cycle.

ET receptor contribution to vascular dysfunction in postmenopausal women.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) contributes to age-related endothelial dysfunction in men via the ET receptor. However, there are sex differences in the ET-1 system, and ET receptors are modulated by sex hormones. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that ET receptors contribute to impaired vasodilatory function in postmenopausal women (PMW).

Bioinformatic identification of connective tissue growth factor as an osteogenic protein within skeletal muscle.

Aging is associated with increasing incidence of osteoporosis; a skeletal disorder characterized by compromised bone strength that may predispose patients to an increased risk of fracture. It is imperative to identify novel ways in which to attenuate such declines in the functional properties of bone. The purpose of this study was to identify, through in silico, in vitro, and in vivo approaches, a protein secreted from skeletal muscle that is putatively involved in bone formation.