SNRK & Vascular Endothelial Aging

NCT07591337 | Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: IRB2026-YX-172-01
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 180
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

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.

Conditions

Vascular Aging

Keywords

SNRK; carotid atherosclerosis; vascular endothelial cells; cell senescence; vascular aging

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Serum levels of SNRKAS detected by RT-PCR

  serum levels of SNRKAS (fold change)

  At enrollment

• Degree of bilateral carotid artery stenosis detected by Doppler ultrasound

  Intima-media thickness (mm) and lumen diameter (mm) of bilateral common carotid artery and internal carotid artery

  At enrollment

• Pulse wave velocity in both carotid arteries detected by Doppler ultrasound

  Peak systolic velocity (cm/s) of bilateral common carotid artery and internal carotid artery

  At enrollment

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Blood lipids levels detected by automated biochemical analyzer (LABOSPECT 008, Hitachi)

  At enrollment

Study Arms (3)

< 40 years old

Participants of \< 40 years old.

Diagnostic Test: serum tests and carotid ultrasound test

40-60 years old

Participants of 40-60 years old.

Diagnostic Test: serum tests and carotid ultrasound test

> 60 years old

Participants of \> 60 years old.

Diagnostic Test: serum tests and carotid ultrasound test

Interventions

serum tests and carotid ultrasound test DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

1. 10 mL of venous blood was drawn from each participant to measure blood lipids and serum levels of SNRKAS (using RT-qPCR), and to perform transcriptomic analysis. 2. Carotid ultrasound was used to measure circumferential strain and pulse wave velocity in both carotid arteries to assess the degree of arterial stiffness.

40-60 years old; < 40 years old; > 60 years old

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Estimated by statistical analysis, a total of 180 subjects were included from individuals who come for physical examinations or medical visits to the leading and collaborating administrations of this project, and meet the inclusion criteria between April 2026 and March 2029.

You may qualify if:

• 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);

You may not qualify if:

• 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;
• 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.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Tianjin Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Tianjin Medical University General Hospital

Tianjin, Tianjin Municipality, 300052, China

RECRUITING

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITHOUT DNA

Serum

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Carotid Artery Diseases

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cerebrovascular Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Vascular Diseases; Cardiovascular Diseases

Study Officials

• Minghui Zou, Ph.D.

  mhzou@tmu.edu.cn

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Xintong Ge, M.D.

CONTACT

86-022-60362237; xge@tmu.edu.cn

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 6, 2026
• First Posted: May 15, 2026
• Study Start: May 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2029
• Study Completion (Estimated): April 30, 2029
• Last Updated: May 15, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, ICF

Locations

CN (1)