This proof-of-principle physiologic study in hypertensive Black LSD1 risk allele carriers testing the hypothesis that reductions in blood pressure will be greater with a genetically-driven anti-hypertensive approach (mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, eplerenone) compared to a non-specific approach (amlodipine). 56 participants will be enrolled in a 12-week randomized, double-blind, active controlled, outpatient study to assess whether eplerenone (LSD1 specific treatment) proves superior in 24-hr ambulatory systolic blood pressure reduction than amlodipine (non-specific treatment). Participants will be randomized to either eplerenone 50mg or amlodipine 2.5mg with escalations in dose of study drug every 4 weeks if the participant's blood pressure is > 140/90.
Lysine specific demethylase-1 (LSD1) is an epigenetic regulator of gene transcription involved in the pathophysiology of elevated blood pressure and likely renal damage in Blacks. This project investigates whether a genetically driven anti-hypertensive approach proves superior in controlling blood pressure and mitigating renal injury in Blacks who carry the risk allele for LSD1 (rs587168). The findings of these investigations may lead to a new approach in treating a subset (~30%) of the essential hypertension population (Black LSD1 risk allele hypertensives).