The Role of Cyclooxygenase Activity in the Endothelial Function of Hypertensive and Hypercholesterolemic Patients

NCT00001742 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: 98006498-H-0064
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 75
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

A layer of cells called the endothelium line the walls of blood vessels. These cells produce substances that control the tone of blood vessels and thus control blood flow through the vessel. This regulating activity of the endothelium is dysfunctional in several diseases of the heart and blood vessels, including high blood pressure and high levels of cholesterol. Previous research has pointed toward a decrease in the action of nitric oxide (NO) as the cause of this abnormality. Nitric oxide is a substance produced by the cells of the endothelium that plays a role in the relaxation of blood vessels. In this project researchers plan to study blood flow through the blood vessels in patients forearms after receiving four different drugs: sodium nitroprusside, acetylcholine, L-NMMA, and aspirin. These four drugs act on the blood vessels of the forearm through different mechanisms. Acetylcholine and sodium nitroprusside are drugs that open the blood vessels of the forearm and increase blood flow through the vessel. L-NMMA is a drug that blocks production of nitric oxide (NO). Aspirin's role in controlling blood flow is unknown. Patients participating in this research study will not directly benefit from it. However, the study will contribute to researchers understanding of diseases of the blood vessels and heart.

Conditions

Healthy; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension

Keywords

Acetylcholine; Aspirin; Nitric Oxide; Sodium Nitroprusside; Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

Patients (men and nonpregnant women) with systemic hypertension and patients with hypercholesterolema will be included for this study. Patient with aspirin allergies and those with a platelet count less than 50,000 will be excluded. Volunteers cannot be in any kind of medication while participating in this study. No history of diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, coagulopathy, or vasculitis. Must be capable of rendering informed consent for all procedures.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): lead

Study Sites (1)

National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)

Bethesda, Maryland, 20892, United States

Location

Related Publications (3)

• Moncada S, Vane JR. Pharmacology and endogenous roles of prostaglandin endoperoxides, thromboxane A2, and prostacyclin. Pharmacol Rev. 1978 Sep;30(3):293-331. No abstract available.

  PMID: 116251 BACKGROUND

• Furchgott RF, Zawadzki JV. The obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine. Nature. 1980 Nov 27;288(5789):373-6. doi: 10.1038/288373a0.

  PMID: 6253831 BACKGROUND

• Taddei S, Virdis A, Ghiadoni L, Magagna A, Salvetti A. Cyclooxygenase inhibition restores nitric oxide activity in essential hypertension. Hypertension. 1997 Jan;29(1 Pt 2):274-9. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.29.1.274.

  PMID: 9039114 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Hypercholesterolemia; Hypertension

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Hyperlipidemias; Dyslipidemias; Lipid Metabolism Disorders; Metabolic Diseases; Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Sponsor Type: NIH

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 3, 1999
• First Posted: December 10, 2002
• Study Start: February 1, 1998
• Study Completion: January 1, 2001
• Last Updated: March 4, 2008

Record last verified: 2000-01

Locations

US (1)