Increasing certain proteins in the blood vessels of mice has resulted in the relaxation of their vessels and essentially lower the blood pressure levels, researchers have found in a new study aimed at finding new ways to help lower high blood pressure. The study was conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), who partnered with other researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, and the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. According to Darryl Zeldin, M.D., senior author of the paper and acting clinical director of the NIEHS,
“The paper demonstrates that cytochrome P450 plays an important role in the management of high blood pressure, a disease of enormous public health concern.”
The researchers began the study by creating animal models in which they had a human cytochrome P450 (CYP450 or P450) in the cells that are found to line the blood vessels. In the mice that had P450, the researchers found that the P450 created more epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which are known to protect the cardiovascular system as well as relax / dilate the blood vessels and fight inflammation. The animals with P450 were also found to have less damage to their kidneys as opposed to normal mice.
High blood pressure is an epidemic in the United States, with almost one in every three adults suffering from it according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure occurs when pressure levels in the blood vessels is elevated, which can lead to more serious conditions such as heart disease and stroke, which are two of the three leading causes of death in the United States. There are several ways to naturally lower high blood pressure, including lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and reducing stress levels. Other ways to lower high blood pressure include a low sodium diet and regular exercise. There are several risk factors for high blood pressure, including age, race, family history, and gender, and if you fall into the risk categories you should consult a doctor to see if you are showing early signs of high blood pressure. With almost 25% of people suffering from high blood pressure unaware they have the condition, you need to stay on top of your blood pressure levels.
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