Cardiovascular diseases pose a serious threat to public health, and their prevalence is on the rise year by year. Vascular aging is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and endothelial cell senescence is an early event in vascular aging. Its occurrence can lead to endothelium-dependent vasodilation dysfunction, reduced vascular permeability, and the release of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). These vascular pathological changes further damage the vascular media, leading to vascular remodeling and reduced compliance, accelerating the progression of atherosclerosis, and ultimately resulting in cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease and hypertension. Recent research of the investigators has revealed that SNRK, a new member of the AMPK family of cellular energy sensors, plays a key regulatory role in vascular development. Based on this finding, the investigators propose the scientific hypothesis that SNRK responds to both physiological and pathological aging stimuli through differential mechanisms and regulates the process of endothelial cell senescence. In this study, the investigators will explore the correlation between SNRKAS and carotid vascular structure and endothelial function by measuring the levels of the SNRK upstream lncRNA (SNRKAS) in participants' peripheral blood, in conjunction with carotid ultrasound examinations. The findings will provide a solid scientific basis for elucidating new mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of vascular aging and for identifying novel therapeutic targets.
Who can participate
Age range
18 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
. Aged 18-80 years, with the capacity to make decisions independently or represented by an authorized legal guardian;
. Able to provide complete personal information, medical history, and lifestyle history (e.g., smoking and alcohol consumption history);
. No history of severe cardiovascular disease, and deemed eligible for inclusion by a physician.
Exclusion criteria
. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant;
. Patients with a history of neurological disorders, tumors, severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, liver failure, kidney failure, or blood disorders;
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
1
Serum levels of SNRKAS detected by RT-PCR
Timeframe: At enrollment
2
Degree of bilateral carotid artery stenosis detected by Doppler ultrasound
Timeframe: At enrollment
3
Pulse wave velocity in both carotid arteries detected by Doppler ultrasound
. Patients who have undergone carotid stenting, carotid endarterectomy, or other similar procedures, or who have unilateral carotid artery occlusion due to any cause;
. Patients who have participated in another clinical trial within the past 4 weeks;
. Individuals deemed unsuitable for this clinical trial by the investigators.