Inflammatory Biomarkers and Serum Fatty Acids in High-Risk Populations: A Research Protocol

Advances in hypertension management have resulted in a growing number of survivors in the United States. Despite the success of treatments, patients face long-term challenges and changes in health, and with the likelihood of developing more age-related comorbid disorders, related to cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary conditions, and stroke due to uncontrolled blood pressure and a reduction in life expectancy. This study hypothesizes that the increased risk of morbidity and mortality may be due to increased fat intake, resulting in the acceleration of hypertension.

To address these questions, this study leverages an existing TLIP P-50 project (5P50MD01347-04) at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, TN. Participants will be examined at baseline and prospectively followed at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months to address three specific aims.

1) to examine differences at baseline and in prospective rate of change of metabolic fatty acid assays as a function of blood Pressure progression; 2) to examine differences at baseline and in prospective rate of change of bio- markers assays as a function of Blood Pressure progression; 3) Inflammatory Bio markers and metabolic acid assay in relation to reduction of comorbidities associated with blood pressure.

This study will determine whether monitoring inflammatory biomarkers and serum fatty acid assays over time can detect the progression of hypertension, with independent effects or through the interaction of behavioral factors in high-risk populations, and whether this approach can reduce the risk of age-related morbidities. Such information is necessary to define the risk population and to selectively target inflammatory biomarkers and fatty acid assays with the most effective efficacy and potential to reduce the risk of age-related morbidities.