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Sympathetic Neurovascular Transduction: Role of Adrenergic Receptors and Sex Differences
Sponsor: University of Alberta
Summary
The main purpose of this interventional study is to examine differences in resting blood pressure control between healthy males and females. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there sex differences in the communication between the sympathetic nervous system (also known as the "fight or flight" response) and peripheral blood vessels (which influence systemic blood pressure)? 2. What is the role of specific vascular receptors that respond to sympathetic signals, and is it different between males and females? Participants will complete one study visit of approximately 3 hours where they will: * Have a blood sample taken to measure circulating sex hormone and sympathetic transmitters. * Receive very small doses of medications commonly used to adjust blood pressure through an artery in their arm. The effects of these medications will be short-acting and localized to the forearm. * Have their sympathetic nervous activity directly measured through two very small needles (similar to acupuncture needles) in the side of their leg. * Have their blood pressure and heart rate recorded, and forearm blood flow measured using ultrasound.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - 40 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2023-10-31
Completion Date
2027-12-01
Last Updated
2026-01-08
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
Participants will receive three incremental doses via the brachial artery catheter to assess α1-adrenoreceptor mediated vasoconstriction.
Isoproterenol Hydrochloride
Participants will receive four incremental doses via the brachial artery catheter to assess β-adrenoreceptor mediated vasodilation.
Norepinephrine Bitartrate
Participants will receive three incremental doses via the brachial artery catheter to assess nonspecific adrenoreceptor activation.
Propranolol Hydrochloride
Propranolol will be continuously infused through the brachial artery catheter to induce β-adrenergic blockade locally in the forearm.
Phentolamine Mesylate
Phentolamine will be continuously infused through the brachial artery catheter to induce α-adrenergic blockade locally in the forearm.
Phenylephrine Hydrochloride
Participants will receive one dose via the brachial artery catheter to evaluate the effectiveness of the α-adrenergic blockade.
Isoproterenol Hydrochloride
Participants will receive one dose via the brachial artery catheter to evaluate the effectiveness of the β-adrenergic blockade.
Propranolol Hydrochloride
Propranolol will be continuously co-infused with phentolamine to maintain the β-adrenergic blockade.
Locations (1)
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada