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Horm Metab Res 2004; 36(6): 376-380
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-814583
Review
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Mechanisms of Obesity-related Hypertension

V.  Lamounier-Zepter 1, 2 , S.  R.  Bornstein 1 , M.  Ehrhart-Bornstein 2
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, University Medical Center, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
  • 2German Diabetes Center, Düsseldorf, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Received 9 February 2004

Accepted after Revision 19 February 2004

Publication Date:
07 July 2004 (online)

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Abstract

Obesity has become an epidemic problem in western societies, contributing to metabolic diseases, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Although the importance of obesity as a cause of hypertension is well established, the molecular basis of the relationship between obesity and increased blood pressure remains poorly understood. This brief review examines the association between obesity and hypertension along with the mechanisms proposed to explain this association, while presenting evidence of a direct causal effect of adipose tissue in the development of hypertension through the involvement of the adrenal cortex.

Key words

Overweight - Adipose tissue - Adrenal - Aldosterone

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V. Lamounier-Zepter, M. D.

German Diabetes Center

Auf’m Hennekamp 65 · 40225 Düsseldorf · Germany

Phone: + 49 (211) 338 22 02

Fax: + 49 (211) 338 24 82 ·

Email: Valeria.LamounierZepter@uni-duesseldorf.de