Project Number: 5450-51000-047-02
Project Type: Nonfunded Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Jan 01, 2013
End Date: Sep 30, 2014

Objective:
The objective of this research is to identify distinct epigenetic patterns of DNA methylation associated with preeclampsia that underlie the future development of hypertension and to determine the implication on responses to moderators and therapeutic interventions in the management of chronic hypertension. Univariate analysis of variance will be used to test associations between DNA methylation in genes and chronic hypertension among women with and without a history of preeclampsia. We will use multiple linear regression to examine differences in treatment responses to high blood pressure based on DNA methylation patterns, dietary intake, activity and BMI in candidate cardiovascular genes.

Approach:
Women diagnosed with chronic hypertension, aged 30-50 years (limiting the likelihood of morbid conditions), with (group 1, n=20) and without (group 2, n=20) a history of preeclampsia will be recruited. A medical history including smoking, pregnancy, preeclampsia, hypertension; non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatment strategies; dietary intake (Dietary History Questionnaire II), activity patterns, BMI, laboratory values relative to cardiovascular disease will be collected. The EndoPat (Itamar) will be used to non-invasively measure endothelial function. Venipuncture will be used to obtain blood samples for DNA analysis (DNA methylation) and laboratory measures of cardiovascular risk (inflammation).