Mitigating the Pro-inflammatory Phenotype of Obesity

Summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6). Our study is a prospective study using a randomized, double-blinded design to test 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) compared with a BP-lowering control condition (diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide) or a placebo.

Eligibility

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.

Conditions6

Locations1 site

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