Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension

Ellen Seely, M.D.

Dr. Seely’s research focuses on cardiovascular risk in women, especially the influence of gonadal steroids on blood pressure regulation in women. She has shown that oral conjugated equine estrogen and droloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, are associated with a rise in circulating ANGII levels and a fall in renal blood flow.  She is investigating whether the influence of estrogen on the RAS is genetically determined.  She has also shown that the RAS system is altered in pregnancy documenting that renin and aldosterone responses to acute stimulation are dissociated. She postulates that pregnancy unmasks a predisposition to cardiovascular disease and has shown that women with a prior history of gestational diabetes have increased C-reactive protein and vascular resistance and lower adiponectin levels. Dr. Seely is a recipient of an NIH K-24 Mentoring Award. The goal of the award is to train young investigators in patient oriented research.

1. Seely EW, Solomon CG.  Insulin resistance and its potential role in pregnancy-induced hypertension.; J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2003; 88:2393-2398.
2. Seely EW, Brosnihan KB, Jeunemaitre X, Okamura K, Williams, MD GH, Hollenberg NK, Herrington DM. Effects of conjugated estrogen and droloxifene on the renin-angiotensin system, blood pressure and renal blood flow in postmenopausal women. Clinical Endocrinology, 2004; 60:315-321
3. Bentley-Lewis R, Graves SW, Seely EW. The renin-aldosterone response to stimulation and suppression during normal pregnancy. Hypertension in Pregnancy. 2005; 24:1-16. 
4. Heitritter S, Solomon CG, Mitchell G, Skali NO, Seely EW.  Subclinical inflammation and vascular dysfunction in women with prior gestational diabetes.  J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2005; 90:3983-3988.