Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension

Naomi Fisher, M.D.

One major focus of my clinical research continues to be the interplay between endocrinology and renal and adrenal physiology, to unravel their interacting contributions to the syndromes of human hypertension.  Specific research protocols revolve around pharmacological interruption of the renin-angiotensin-system at different levels, with the goal of determining its role in normal renal physiology and disease.  Most recent physiologic studies involve renin inhibition. This body of work has provided important evidence for the biological importance of intrarenal AngII.  In addition, I have been concerned with the effect of race, gender and age on sensitivity to AngII. All of the physiologic studies above are complemented by genetic analyses.      

A second major focus involves a related but new area: the vascular effects of flavanol-rich foodstuffs and nitric oxide.  I am studying the cardiovascular effects of flavonoid-rich cocoa in healthy humans, which increases vascular reacivity via a nitric-oxide dependent pathway. 

Selected References

1. Fisher NDL, Hughes M, Gerhard-Herman M, Hollenberg NKH.  Flavanol-rich cocoa induces nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation in healthy humans.  J Hypertension 2003; 21:2281-2286.
2. Hollenberg NKH, Stevanovic R, Agarwal A, Lansang MC, Price DA, Laffel LMB, Williams GH, Fisher NDL.  Plasma aldosterone concentration in the   patient with diabetes mellitus. Kidney Int 2004;65:1435-1439.
3. Perlstein, TS, Gumieniak O, Hopkins PN, Murphey LJ, Brown NJ, Williams GH,  Hollenberg, NK, Fisher NDL.  Uric acid and the state of the intrarenal  renin-angiotensin system in humans. Kidney Int 2004;66:1-6.

 Contact Information:
(617) 732-5654
nfisher@partners.org