NCT07602166

Brief Summary

Hypertension is the leading cause of preventable deaths globally, driven by complications such as myocardial infarction, stroke, heart failure, and kidney disease. Recent updates in hypertension classification by the American Heart Association (AHA) place nearly half of the U.S. population in the hypertensive category. Excess dietary salt is a major risk factor for hypertension, with 50% of hypertensive individuals exhibiting salt-sensitivity of blood pressure (SSBP). SSBP is an independent predictor of cardiovascular events and death. While kidney mechanisms in salt-sensing have been extensively studied, emerging evidence suggests that immune cells can also sense sodium (Na+). This trial hypothesizes that myeloid cell-derived isolevuglandins (IsoLGs) drive endothelial dysfunction, perpetuating the salt-sensitive phenotype. Preliminary data indicate that targeting IsoLGs with the IsoLG scavenger 2-hydroxybenzylamine (2-HOBA) may interrupt this immune-vascular axis, reducing salt sensitivity and associated cardiovascular risks. This phase 2 clinical trial aims to investigate the role of 2-HOBA in modulating immune cell function within blood vessels in hypertensive patients. The study will explore the impact of immunity on salt sensitivity and assess 2-HOBA's potential to reduce endothelial dysfunction, improve immune cell activation, and alleviate SSBP.

Trial Health

63
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
20

participants targeted

Target at below P25 for phase_2

Timeline
61mo left

Started Jul 2026

Longer than P75 for phase_2

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
not yet recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 15, 2026

Completed
7 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 22, 2026

Completed
1 month until next milestone

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2026

Expected
5 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

July 1, 2031

Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

July 1, 2031

Last Updated

May 22, 2026

Status Verified

May 1, 2026

Enrollment Period

5 years

First QC Date

May 15, 2026

Last Update Submit

May 15, 2026

Conditions

Keywords

salt sensitivityhypertensionrenin-angiotensin-aldosterone systemimmune cells

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Change in 24-hour ambulatory systolic blood pressure (SBP)

    Measurement of salt sensitivity of blood pressure before and after each treatment period (2-HOBA and placebo), using a standardized inpatient salt-loading and salt-depletion protocol.

    From week 0-4 and week 8-week12

Secondary Outcomes (3)

  • FMD

    From baseline to week 4, from Week 8 to week 12.

  • Measurement of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines in blood and endothelial cells

    Week 0, 4, 8 and 12.

  • Endothelial Cell Harvesting and Analysis

    From week 0-4 and week 8-12

Study Arms (2)

Arm 1: Drug-washout-placebo

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants with salt sensitivity of blood pressure

Drug: 2-hydroxybenzylamineDrug: Placebo

Arm 2: Placebo-washout-Drug

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants with salt sensitivity of blood pressure

Drug: 2-hydroxybenzylamineDrug: Placebo

Interventions

2HOBA

Arm 1: Drug-washout-placeboArm 2: Placebo-washout-Drug

Placebo

Arm 1: Drug-washout-placeboArm 2: Placebo-washout-Drug

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • We will perform analyses in participants previously phenotyped for SSBP, defined as a change in systolic blood pressure ≥10 mmHg from salt-loading to salt-depletion,
  • Over 18 years of age. Able to give informed consent,

You may not qualify if:

  • Salt-resistant people,
  • Acute cardiovascular event(s) within the previous 6 months,
  • inability to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study or to participate in/comply with the protocol,
  • Current excessive alcohol or illicit drug use,
  • Concomitant diabetes mellitus, type I or II,
  • Autoimmune disease,
  • Recent vaccination,
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Women of childbearing potential unwilling to use highly effective contraceptive (see Risk section),
  • Confirmed or suspected renal, renovascular or endocrine causes of secondary hypertension,
  • Treatment with agents known to increase BP (e.g., adrenergic agonists for ADHD, SSRI and SNRI antidepressants, chronic use of decongestants or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,
  • Active or ongoing infection, including HIV/AIDS,
  • Active or ongoing malignancy with the exception of basal cell carcinoma of the skin,
  • Severe psychiatric disorders,
  • Any condition that may alter the immunological results of the study including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, giant cell arteritis, psoriasis, inflammatory bowel disease, and multiple sclerosis,
  • +10 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States

Location

Related Publications (9)

  • Weinberger MH. Salt sensitivity is associated with an increased mortality in both normal and hypertensive humans. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2002 Jul-Aug;4(4):274-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1524-6175.2002.00924.x.

  • Ertuglu LA, Pitzer Mutchler A, Jamison S, Laffer CL, Elijovich F, Saleem M, Blackwell DJ, Kryshtal DO, Egly CL, Sahinoz M, Sheng Q, Wanjalla CN, Pakala S, Yu J, Gutierrez OM, Kleyman TR, Knollmann BC, Ikizler TA, Kirabo A. Eicosanoid-Regulated Myeloid ENaC and Isolevuglandin Formation in Human Salt-Sensitive Hypertension. Hypertension. 2024 Mar;81(3):516-529. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.123.21285. Epub 2023 Sep 7.

  • Weinberger MH. Salt sensitive human hypertension. Endocr Res. 1991;17(1-2):43-51. doi: 10.1080/07435809109027188.

  • Weinberger MH, Fineberg NS, Fineberg SE, Weinberger M. Salt sensitivity, pulse pressure, and death in normal and hypertensive humans. Hypertension. 2001 Feb;37(2 Pt 2):429-32. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.37.2.429.

  • Weinberger MH, Miller JZ, Luft FC, Grim CE, Fineberg NS. Definitions and characteristics of sodium sensitivity and blood pressure resistance. Hypertension. 1986 Jun;8(6 Pt 2):II127-34. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.8.6_pt_2.ii127.

  • Luft FC, Miller JZ, Grim CE, Fineberg NS, Christian JC, Daugherty SA, Weinberger MH. Salt sensitivity and resistance of blood pressure. Age and race as factors in physiological responses. Hypertension. 1991 Jan;17(1 Suppl):I102-8. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.17.1_suppl.i102.

  • Weinberger MH, Fineberg NS. Sodium and volume sensitivity of blood pressure. Age and pressure change over time. Hypertension. 1991 Jul;18(1):67-71. doi: 10.1161/01.hyp.18.1.67.

  • Ertuglu LA, Demirci M, Mutchler AL, Laffer CL, Saleem M, Ikizler TA, Kirabo A. Antigen-Presenting Cell Isolevuglandins Link Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure to Insulin Resistance. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2026 Mar 17;111(4):1091-1097. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaf556.

  • Ertuglu LA, Pitzer Mutchler A, Elijovich F, Laffer CL, Sheng Q, Wanjalla CN, Kirabo A. Regulation of human salt-sensitivite hypertension by myeloid cell renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Front Physiol. 2023 Jul 18;14:1208270. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1208270. eCollection 2023.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

HypertensionInflammation

Interventions

2-(aminomethyl)phenol

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Vascular DiseasesCardiovascular DiseasesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Annet Kirabo, D.V.M., M.Sc., Ph.D. F.A.H.A.

CONTACT

Cindy Mambungu, LPN

CONTACT

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
phase 2
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
CROSSOVER
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor of Medicine Associate Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Division of Clinical Pharmacology Department of Medicine

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 15, 2026

First Posted

May 22, 2026

Study Start (Estimated)

July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2031

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2031

Last Updated

May 22, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Locations