The mechanisms by which high fructose consumption leads to hypertension

The main goal of this research project is to understand how the consumption of fructose can lead to the developement of hypertension.
Hypertension is one of the most world spread health condition and a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, stroke and death. The high presence of fructose in the body, whether directly due to high consumption of fructose rich products or transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy, is found to correlate with the increase in obesity, which represents one of the major risk factor for hypertension. Although most mechanisms of development of hypertension remain complex and elusive so far, many therapeutic approaches still rely on an rigorous control of classical risk factors such as the influence of diet in the case of obesity. A better understanding of what specific elements in our diet and these elements lead to the development of these conditions might provide the key to improve and adapt future therapeutical strategies.
Furthermore, since many health conditions are not exclusively driven by environmental factors such as diet, this research project will also put a big emphasis on the role of genetic and how it works in combination with environmental factors to influence the mechanisms of development of hypertension.

Faculty Supervisor:

Virginia Stroeher

Student:

Partner:

Kyungpook National University

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Health and Related Sciences & Technology; Biotechnology; Pharmaceuticals

University:

Bishop's University

Program: