Grant Abstract: Equol Supplementation for Improving Vascular Function in Postmenopausal Women with CKD: Efficacy and Mechanistic Role of GPER
Grant Number: 3K01HL179491-02S1
PI Name: Oh
Project Title: Equol Supplementation for Improving Vascular Function in Postmenopausal Women with CKD: Efficacy and Mechanistic Role of GPER
Abstract: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects approximately 15% of the U.S. population and markedly increases cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, the leading cause of death in these patients. Women experience a higher prevalence of CKD and accelerated vascular dysfunction compared with men, yet sex-specific mechanisms contributing to cardiovascular risk in CKD remain poorly understood. The K01 award, “Equol Supplementation for Improving Vascular Function in Postmenopausal Women with CKD: Efficacy and Mechanistic Role of GPER,” investigates the efficacy and mechanistic actions of equol, a soy-derived phytoestrogen metabolite, for improving vascular dysfunction in postmenopausal women with CKD. The project integrates a randomized controlled clinical trial and mechanistic preclinical studies to determine whether equol improves vascular function through activation of the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER). Substantial progress has been achieved during the initial project period. Regulatory approvals for clinical and preclinical studies were obtained, participant recruitment and enrollment were initiated, study infrastructure and experimental workflows were established, and animal studies were launched. However, a critical life event involving childbirth and maternity leave occurred during the initiation phase of the K01 award and substantially disrupted research productivity during a critical period for establishing both the clinical and preclinical components of the research program. These disruptions delayed participant recruitment, study coordination, establishment of animal cohorts, and implementation of key experimental workflows, resulting in an estimated 6 months of delay in project progress. This Administrative Supplement requests support for a clinical study coordinator and a professional research assistant to restore and sustain coordinated progress across both the clinical and preclinical components of the K01 project. The supplemental support will accelerate participant recruitment, strengthen study continuity, facilitate establishment of the GPER knockout mouse colony, and maintain continuity of downstream mechanistic studies. In parallel, the supplement will support continued career development activities, including manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, mentoring experiences, and specialized training in GPER-related methodologies. Collectively, this supplement will enable timely completion of the original project aims and sustain progress toward the PI’s long-term goal of establishing an independent translational research program focused on sex differences and cardiovascular complications in CKD.
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