Heart plays an endocrine role by secreting hormones called natriuretic peptides (NPs). These hormones regulate the cardiovascular physiology by controlling the blood pressure and how the body handles salt. These hormones also play a role in managing how the body processes glucose and generates energy. We and others have previously shown that common genetic variants of the NP genes result in changes in the circulating NP levels and resultantly in the blood pressure and cardiovascular physiology.
Variations in the circulating NP levels have been associated with development of adverse cardiovascular clinical events such as heart attacks, stroke, heart failure, arrhythmias, death due to heart disease and death due to any cause. We aim to examine the relationship of the various genetic variants that determine the circulating NP hormone levels, with the development of poor cardiovascular and metabolic health.
The project will span approximately 3 years and look at the various genetic variations which determine the changes in NP levels and their resultant impact on the cardiovascular health. The project will also involve the development of risk score, so that one can determine the likelihood of development of clinical disease and intervene pre-emptively to prevent or delay the development of the disease.
The proposed research will help improve the general understanding of the NP system and its close interplay in regulating the cardiovascular physiology and development of cardiovascular diseases. The proposed research will help in development of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the NP system. This will help in preventing the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in individuals who are at an increased risk of such disease due to their genetic characteristics.