Barouch Lab

The Barouch lab is focused on defining the peripheral cardiovascular effects of the adipocytokine leptin, which is a key to our understanding of obesity-related cardiovascular disease.

Interestingly, many of the hormonal abnormalities seen in obesity are mimicked in heart failure. Our research program will enhance our understanding of metabolic signaling in the heart, including the effects of leptin, exercise, sex hormones, and downstream signaling pathways on metabolism and cardiovascular function. We are also working to determine the precise role of the “metabolic” beta-3 adrenergic receptor ([beta]3AR) in the heart and define the extent of its protective effect in obesity and in heart failure, including its role in maintaining nitric oxide synthase (NOS) coupling. Ultimately, this work will allow us to explore possible therapeutic role of [beta]3AR agonists and re-coupling of NOS in preventing adverse ventricular remodeling in obesity and in heart failure.