Comparing Approaches to Assess Nitric Oxide-dependent Cutaneous Vasodilation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · Jul 11, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how different temperatures of skin heating affect blood flow in young adults. The researchers want to understand how well blood vessels in the skin respond to heat, which can help assess the overall health of our blood vessels and how they function. Traditionally, skin is heated to 42°C, but recent studies suggest that heating it to a lower temperature of 39°C might provide better insight into blood vessel function without needing medications. The trial will use a safe and minimally invasive technique to deliver small amounts of medication directly into the skin while measuring the blood flow response.

To participate in this study, individuals must be between 18 and 30 years old, and both men and women are welcome. However, those who are currently taking specific medications that might affect blood vessel function, have certain health conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or do not speak English may not be eligible. Participants can expect to undergo skin heating and answer surveys about their daily lives, including sleep and stress levels. This research aims to improve our understanding of blood vessel health and how it can be measured more accurately.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • men and women
• • 18-30 years of age
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Current or recent (within 8 wks) use of medication that could conceivably alter microvascular function \[including (but not limited to) stimulants, antihypertensives, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors\]
• • Changes or alterations in medication status (starting a new, additional, or different medication or changing the dose of a current medication)
• • Unstable or diagnosed chronic clinical disease, including cardiovascular, metabolic, renal, hepatic, autonomic, autoimmune, or dermatological disease (e.g., hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, psoriasis)
• • Body mass index \<18.5 or \>35 kg/m2
• • Pregnancy (including a positive urine pregnancy test) or breast-feeding
• • Known allergies to pharmacological agents or study drugs
• • Non-English-speaking. Participants need to understand English to follow instructions and comply with procedures conducted during the screening and experimental visits.