Leptin as the Link Between Obesity and Hypertension

Hypertension, chronically raised blood pressure, is very damaging. It is an important mechanism by which low-level molecular damage and disarray in aging is converted into structural damage to important tissues in the brain, kidneys, and other organs. It is so influential in aging that lowering of raised blood pressure reduces mortality and disease risk even without addressing the underlying causes of the condition. Obesity is well known to cause raised blood pressure, and researchers here identify a novel mechanism for this effect involving leptin signaling. Since leptin signaling does change with age, it will be interesting to see whether or not this mechanism also operates to a significant degree in the aging and hypertension of non-obese individuals. There's no question that as body weight increases, so too does blood pressure. Now, in a study of mice, researchers have revealed exactly which molecules are likely responsible for the link between obesity and blood pressure. Nearly a third of American adults have high blood pressure, and only about half of those people have their blood pressure under control through medications and lifestyle changes. Hypertension can be especially difficult to treat in obese patients. The new work revolves around leptin, a molecule that controls appetite and metabolism in response to food. Obese people often become resistant to leptin, so rising levels of the molecule after a meal no longer boost metabolism or cause a feelin...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs