CompletedPhase 1

Mechanisms of Cerebrovascular Control

United States59 participantsStarted 2017-01-31

Plain-language summary

The objective of this study is to identify insulin-specific cerebral blood flow (CBF) control mechanisms, and establish cerebrovascular responsive baseline in younger (18-45 yrs) metabolic syndrome adults (MetSyn) who are at substantial risk of stroke and other types of cardiovascular mortality even if they never develop diabetes. The central hypothesis is that vasodilator actions of insulin are impaired in MetSyn due to loss of dilator and gain of constrictor signals. This study will focus on 2 mechanisms that likely limit CBF in MetSyn: 1) Disruption of nitric oxide (NO) vasodilation, and 2) Exaggerated endothelin (ET-1) constriction. Three specific aims will be addressed: Aim 1: To test the hypothesis that physiologic surges of insulin acutely increase CBF in young adults, but adults with MetSyn exhibit paradoxical insulin-mediated vasoconstriction. Aim 2: To test the hypotheses that key mechanisms responsible for poor CBF in MetSyn are shifts in NO and ET-1 signaling. Specifically, in healthy controls, NO mediates robust dilation, with little to no ET-1 constriction. In contrast, adults with MetSyn exhibit uncoupled NO synthase (NOS) and exaggerated ET-1 constriction. Aim 3: To test the hypothesis that insulin regulation of CBF is regionally distinct (e.g. Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) reactive than Anterior Cerebral Artery (ACA) or basilar), and the negative effects of insulin resistance (IR) are similarly regionally specific.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 45 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

* Inclusion Criteria (all): * Sedentary (≤ 90 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week) * Women must be premenopausal with a regular menstrual cycle * For the Ambrisentan trial, participants must be male, due to potential harmful effects of drug on fetus * Inclusion Criteria (Controls): * Participants will be lean (BMI ≥19 - ≤25 kg/m2) * Sedentary (≤ 90 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week) * Without any cardiovascular co-morbidities * Inclusion Criteria: (Metabolic Syndrome): * Participants must qualify under the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) definition of metabolic syndrome as modified by the American Heart Association and International Diabetes Federation. Participants must meet 3 or more of the following 5 criteria: * fasting glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL, * fasting triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL, * elevated blood pressure (≥ 130 systolic and/or ≥ 85 diastolic mmHg), * waist circumference at the iliac crest \> 102 cm (men) or ≥ 88 cm (women). * Exclusion Criteria: * Fasting glucose ≥ 126 mg/dL * Having ≥1- ≤ 2 of the above criteria for MetSyn. * Personal medical history of coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, heart valve disease, congestive heart failure, previous heart surgery, history of lung disease (Note: asthma that is not currently active and being treated is NOT considered an exclusion criteria) or peripheral artery disease, or history of renal/kidney and liver/hep…

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

Change in cerebrovascular blood flow in response to NOS inhibition.

Timeframe: Through study completion (an average of 2 years)

Change in cerebrovascular blood flow in response to ET-1 inhibition.

Timeframe: Through study completion (an average of 2 years)

Trial details

NCT IDNCT02936687

SponsorUniversity of Wisconsin, Madison

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2021-07-01

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Metabolic Syndrome X trials