Kaptur Announces $3.85 Million Award for Hypertension Research at UToledo Health Science Campus
Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), announced that 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.
This research aims to address 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 Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). "I am thrilled that this substantial award will enable Dr. Joe and her team to pursue cutting-edge research that has the potential to transform how we approach hypertension treatment. The University of Toledo continues to be at the forefront of medical research, and this award further solidifies its role in advancing public health."
Dr. Bina 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 extensive research has significantly contributed to our understanding of blood pressure regulation and the genetic components of cardiovascular diseases.
“The University of Toledo has a 60-year history of hypertension research, including pioneering work into the role an individual’s gut bacteria plays in the development of high blood pressure,” said Dr. Bina Joe, Distinguished University Professor and chair of the UToledo Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. “This grant is further recognition of the important contribution UToledo is making in the hypertension field. We are grateful for the funding and hopeful we can advance toward new therapies to treat this unfortunately common condition.”
The initial award amount of $768,896 for the first year will support various research activities, including laboratory studies, data analysis, and collaborative efforts with other institutions. The total requested funding of $3.85 Million will span five years, allowing for a comprehensive investigation into the potential of conjugated bile acids to serve as a novel, dietary-based 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.
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