Mitigating the Pro-inflammatory Phenotype of Obesity

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS MEDICAL CENTER · Jun 17, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying the effects of a medication called clonidine, which aims to reduce inflammation related to obesity over a period of four weeks. Researchers believe that by blocking sympathetic nerve activity (the part of the nervous system that can increase blood pressure and heart rate), they can lower certain inflammatory markers in the blood that are linked to conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity. The trial involves comparing the effects of clonidine to a common blood pressure medication and a placebo (a pill with no active ingredients) to see which is more effective.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 18 and 79 years old, have a body mass index (BMI) over 30 (which indicates obesity), and have high blood pressure (above 130/80). Additionally, participants should have signs of insulin resistance but not have any serious heart or neurological conditions. Those who join the study will visit a research lab for evaluations and blood tests and will need to provide informed consent, meaning they understand the study and agree to participate. This trial is currently recruiting participants, and the findings could help improve treatment options for people dealing with obesity-related health issues.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male or Female, age 18-79
• • Obese: BMI \> 30 m/kg2
• • Hypertensive: blood pressure \>130/80
• • Elevated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR \> 2.5)
• • Waist circ: \>102 cm (men) and \>88 cm (women)
• • Fasting glucose \< 126 mg/dL
• • Fasting triglycerides \< 250 mg/dL
• • HbA1c \< 6.5%
• • Willing to visit research lab (Fairway CTSU)
• • Willing to undergo a blood draw
• • Able to provide written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current use of clonidine or beta-blockers
• • Current smoker or History of smoking in the past 3 months.
• • Hyperlipidemia: Fasting triglycerides \> 250 mg/dL
• • Currently taking hypertension medication
• • History of heart disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stent, byass, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy)
• • History of neurological disorders
• • History of transplant
• • Actively participating in other studies, except for a registry study.