Research
The Section of Nephrology and Hypertension has a rich tradition in history of excellence in medical research.
Clinical and Translational Research Basic Science Research Mohandas Laboratory
Clinical and Translational Research
The nephrology section at LSU HSC led some of the pioneering studies in obesity and hypertension. Dr. Reisin directed the early animal and human studies that established the effectiveness of weight reduction in the management of hypertension associated with obesity. The section has participated in several landmark clinical trials in hypertension including the ALLHAT and SPRINT among others. The research focus of the section enables our patients access to novel treatments that are unavailable outside of clinical trials and offers nephrology fellows, medical students, and residents the opportunity to participate actively in clinical research. Our fellows and medical students routinely present their research work at regional and national meetings and publish in peer reviewed journals. The Section continues to be actively involved in several Phases I-IV FDA-regulated trials in hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, dialysis access, bone and mineral metabolism, and anemia associated with kidney disease. Investigator-initiated studies seeking to examine health equity issues among dialysis patients are in development, as well as projects involving special vulnerable populations receiving dialysis.
Basic Science Research
The nephrology section is engaged in basic research that explores the mechanistic basis of kidney disease or complications that stem from kidney disease, particularly cardiovascular disease. The division fosters ‘Team Science’ and ‘ Collaboratory Multidisciplinary” research by working with investigators in pharmacology, physiology, and cardiology to comprehensively assess the effects of kidney disease on other organ systems.
Mohandas Laboratory
Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is associated with increased vascular stiffness, excess cardiovascular mortality, and adverse cardiovascular events. Increased vascular stiffness in kidney disease is thought to be due to long standing hypertension and metabolic complications of kidney disease. However, we have shown that increases in vascular stiffness occurs early in CKD and in experimental models of CKD that are not associated with hypertension or metabolic complications. Our lab is interested in exploring the molecular mechanisms that are associated with increased vascular stiffness in kidney disease and the effect of stiffness on vascular smooth muscle cell structure and function. We perform cell culture as well as rodent models of kidney disease to understand the molecular mechanisms driving disease. Techniques in the laboratory include arteriography, doppler echocardiography of mice, traction force microscopy among other.