Clinical Research Directory

Reducing Blood Pressure in Mid-life Adult Binge Drinkers

This study has two phases: Phase 1 is to examine blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers vs. alcohol abstainers/moderate drinkers. Phase 2 is to examine the effect of 8-week aerobic exercise training on blood pressure, microvascular function, and sympathetic nerve activity in mid-life adult binge drinkers

Impact of Estradiol on Endothelial Function in Peri-Menopausal Women

The purpose of this study is to identify the impact of estradiol (E2) on the mechanisms that regulate vascular endothelial function in peri-menopausal (PERI) women. This study is the first step in understanding factors contributing to endothelial dysfunction in women with advancing reproductive age and in response to E2 administration.

Sympathetic Neurovascular Transduction: Role of Adrenergic Receptors and Sex Differences

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.

Effects of Lentil Protein Hydrolysate on Blood Pressure Control, Vascular Function and Exercise Performance

Examining the safety and tolerability of Lentil Protein Hydrolysate in healthy males and females whilst exploring the effects of a dose range on blood pressure control and vascular function and exercise performance

Impact of Early Aging and Menopause on the Vascular Responses to Hypoxia

The purpose of this study is to examine hypoxic vasodilation and the role of beta-adrenergic receptors in younger premenopausal, perimenopausal, and older postmenopausal women.

Vasodilator and Exercise Study for DMD (VASO-REx)

Examining two strategies as potential adjuvant therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); aerobic exercise training (to induce adaptations in skeletal muscle and improve cardiovascular health) and tadalafil, an FDA-approved vasodilator (to optimize blood flow and muscle perfusion which is impaired and often overlooked in DMD). Target: improved muscle function, vascular health, and DMD treatment.

Sex Disparities in Hypoxic Sympatholysis and Impact of Obesity

Patients with sleep apnea are at increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease - with women at potentially greater risk than men. Contributing mechanisms are not well understood, but may be related to how women respond to low oxygen and, given over 70% of patients with sleep apnea are obese, the impact of obesity. This project seeks to increase our understanding of mechanisms that may contribute to sex differences in the cardiovascular response to low oxygen with the hope that this knowledge will improve the efficacy of current therapies and support the discovery of novel therapeutics.

Sex Disparities in Hypoxic Vasodilation and Impact of Obesity

The purpose of this project is to examine key mechanisms contributing to sex-differences in hypoxic vasodilation and the impact of obesity, with particular emphasis on the sympathetic nervous system.

Red Light Treatment in Peripheral Artery Disease

Subjects with a known diagnosis of peripheral artery disease as measured by an abnormal ankle brachial index (\<.9 or \>1.1) will undergo a single 5 min exposure of 670 nm light, 1 cm above the gastrocnemius muscle. Blood flow will be measured by infusion of ultrasound contrast and subsequent acquisition of ultrasound images. 2 blood samples will be collected for measurement of nitric oxide metabolites.

Investigation of Endothelium-dependent Vasodilation in Human Gingiva

The first aim of this study is to create a cumulative dose-response curve for acetylcholine in men (low serum estrogen levels) to determine the lowest concentration with which we can induce a maximal vasodilation effect on the human gingiva. Furthermore, the second aim of this study is the characterization of the age-dependent effect of sex hormones on gingival blood flow, as well as of the gender differences by applying this concentration to premenopausal men and women with low and high estrogen levels, as well as to postmenopausal subjects.