Chronic ingestion of a high-fat diet (HFD) is pro-inflammatory and has been linked to the development of hypertension. The NLRP3 inflammasome contributes to adipose tissue inflammation with a chronic HFD in males, yet the role in blood pressure (BP) control is unknown. Interestingly, there is increasing evidence that females are highly susceptible to cardiovascular complications following a chronic HFD.

Preterm infants (born prior to 37 weeks (wks) gestation) are susceptible to hypoxia, which predisposes to hypertension in later life. Underdeveloped organs, including the kidney, prevent preterm infants from effectively regulating blood volume and O 2 delivery. Since rat nephrogenesis completes ~ postnatal day (PND) 8, we hypothesized that exposure to hypoxia before nephrogenesis is complete will promote hypertension in adulthood.

We have previously shown that hypertensive female rats have more T regulatory cells (Tregs) which contribute more to blood pressure (BP) control in females vs males. Based on known protective properties of Tregs, the goal of this study was to investigate the mechanisms by which females maintain Tregs.

Young women are typically resistant to cardiovascular disease (CVD) relative to age-matched men. Previous basic science and epidemiological studies suggest that this protection is compromised by chronic consumption of a diet high in saturated fat through mechanisms that are poorly understood. The current study tests the hypothesis that female rats fed a diet rich in saturated fat will be more susceptible to adipose accumulation and increases in blood pressure (BP) than age-matched male rats.

Diets high in saturated fats promote inflammation and are linked to the development of many cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Young females are typically protected from CVD vs males. However, epidemiological and basic science studies suggest that the cardiovascular protection in females is compromised by a high fat diet (HFD). Little is known regarding the impact of a HFD on T cells in males vs. females.

Diets high in saturated fats are increasingly linked to the development of hypertension, yet the mechanisms by which high saturated fat diet (HFD) increases blood pressure remain unclear. Although young women are typically protected from hypertension relative to age-matched men, recent studies suggest that the cardiovascular protection in young women is compromised by chronic consumption of a HFD.

Obesity is a common metabolic disorder that has become a widespread epidemic in several countries. Sex and gender disparities in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) have been well‐documented with premenopausal women having a lower incidence of CVD than age‐matched men.

Preterm birth (birth prior to 37 weeks gestation) affects ~15 million neonates worldwide and complications from preterm birth are the leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. Nephrogenesis is completed at gestational week 36 and an underdeveloped kidney combined with periods of hypoxia, commonly experienced by preterm infants, increases the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI).

While it has been known since the 1940's that men have greater increases in blood pressure compared to women, there have been intense efforts more recently to increase awareness that women are also at risk for developing hypertension, and that cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death among both men and women in the US.

Mortality rate for breast cancer is higher among African American (AA) women than for women of other racial/ethnic groups. Obesity, also higher among AA women, may increase the risk of breast cancer development and recurrence. Lifestyle factors such as healthy nutrition can reduce the rate of obesity and breast cancer.