Research summary
Life expectancy is increasing in Canada—but so are the rates of dementia, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Although these diseases can have multiple causes, blood vessel injury is a common feature. Strategies to prevent or reverse such injuries are medical challenges because the exact mechanisms that regulate blood vessels are unclear.
Dr. Rhian Touyz, Canada Research Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine, has already discovered that a protein known as Nox5 is an important piece of the puzzle. She has found that it produces harmful molecules (reactive oxygen species). Now, Touyz and her research team are studying Nox5 to better understand its role in human health, particularly in cardiovascular disease. Ultimately, they aim to test whether Nox5 can be targeted with drugs in order to promote blood vessel health and prevent age-related disease and complications.