The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute has awarded a prestigious research grant to the University of Toledo Health Science Campus. The award, totaling $3.85 million over five years, will support groundbreaking research on the potential of conjugated bile acids as nutritionally re-programmable antihypertensive metabolites.
The research addresses the critical issue of hypertension, a condition affecting millions of Americans. The project will be led by Dr. Bina Joe, who will explore innovative ways to manage and treat high blood pressure through dietary interventions targeting bile acid pathways.
“Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the United States, and hypertension is a significant contributor,” said U.S. Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. “I am thrilled that this substantial award will enable Dr. Joe and her team to pursue cuttingedge research that has the potential to transform how we approach hypertension treatment.”
Dr. Joe, a renowned expert in physiology and pharmacology, serves as the Frederick-Hiss Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences. Her research has contributed to understanding blood pressure regulation and the genetic components of cardiovascular diseases.
The award amount of $768,896 for the first year will support laboratory studies, data analysis and collaborative efforts with other institutions. The total funding will span five years, allowing for a comprehensive investigation into the potential of conjugated bile acids to serve as a novel, dietarybased treatment for hypertension.
As part of the Heart and Vascular Diseases Research Program, this project aligns with national efforts to reduce the burden of cardiovascular diseases through innovative research and evidence-based interventions. The outcomes of this study could pave the way for new dietary guidelines and therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing and managing high blood pressure.
