View clinical trials related to Cardiovascular Diseases.
Filter by:Menopause is characterized by a decrease of estrogen and progesterone levels and is associated with various changes in body composition, including an accumulation of total fat mass, a relocation of adiposity to the abdomen, deterioration of plasma lipid profile, increased risk of type 2 diabetes, and increased oxidative stress. Taken together, these changes increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). Physical activity and hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) have been shown to act in synergy to improve total fat mass in postmenopausal (PM) women. Because the progesterone component of HRT has been associated with an increased CVD risk in older women with a family history of CVD, the use of HRT has become controversial. As a result, a large decrease of the use of HRT in the community has been observed and postmenopausal women (PM) have developed interest in alternative therapies. Among the possibilities, phytoestrogens have shown beneficial effects on menopausal symptoms and plasma lipids. Phytoestrogens are structurally and functionally similar to estradiol (the major estrogen in humans) but found only in plants such as soybean isoflavones. They do not exert any effect on breast cancer or/and endometrial tissue. AIMS To examine the effects of phytoestrogens, exercise and the combination of both on lean body mass, total fat mass, visceral fat, blood lipid profile, oxidative stress markers, antioxidant system, glucose metabolism, and sex-hormone levels in obese PM women. HYPOTHESES Women undergoing a combination of phytoestrogen treatment and an exercise program will display a greater increase in lean body mass, decrease in total and visceral fat mass, improvements in blood lipid profile, decrease in oxidative stress markers, increase in antioxidant system, improvement in glucose metabolism, and increase in sex-hormone levels than those submitted to any or one of the treatments. A total of 120 women will be recruited. There will be 4 groups (30 women/group) undergoing exercise or not and supplemented with phytoestrogens or a placebo. The intervention is planned to last 12 mo. Key variables will be measured at baseline, and after 6 and 12 mo of intervention. Three weekly 1h-sessions of exercise will be held on 3 non-consecutive days. The phytoestrogen supplements will consist of 70 mg/d of soy isoflavones taken as 4 caps/day.
The purpose of this study is to better understand the anti-inflammatory benefits of two prescription medicines that are currently used to help people with cholesterol problems. Fish oil, from eating certain kinds of fish and from supplement pills, has been used to help control cholesterol and reduce inflammation (the body's response to injury or sickness). Lovaza® is the brand name for prescription strength fish oil pills. In this study, we will be looking at how Lovaza® works to help reduce inflammation in healthy volunteers. Tricor® is the brand name for prescription fenofibrate pills. Fenofibrate is a prescription medicine that many doctors give to people with high triglyceride (fat in the blood) levels. In this study, we will be looking at how Tricor® works to help reduce inflammation in healthy volunteers. Endotoxin or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a small part of bacteria (that is no longer living) that can cause many of the effects similar to bacterial infections in humans. However, it can be administered in very small amounts to produce a mild immune response much the same as a 'flu' like illness. Within 1 ½ -3 hours after giving LPS by vein, a response consisting of fever, chills, headache, nausea and vomiting and generalized aches and pains will occur which lasts up to 6-8 hours. In addition to the flu like symptoms, the response causes temporary changes in cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar. Different people respond differently to LPS. We are using LPS in this study to bring on a temporary inflammatory response in the body and to compare the responses of people who receive Lovaza® or Tricor® to the responses of people who receive a placebo (pill that does not contain medicine).
The purpose of this study is to determine if treating periodontal infections (gum disease) will reduce markers of systemic inflammation in patients at risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Rationale: Survivors of childhood cancer are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular risk factors as well as early cardiovascular disease, likely due to the intensive therapeutic regimen used to treat their cancer. Purple grape juice (PGJ) is a rich source of flavonoids and a powerful antioxidant. Clinical studies in both diseased and healthy adults suggest that daily consumption of PGJ contributes to increased antioxidant capacity, reduced low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, and improved vasodilation. Purpose: This randomized clinical trial is evaluating whether purple grape juice can reduce oxidative stress and improve the vascular health of survivors of childhood cancer in the early stages of cardiovascular disease.
This study is carried out to assess whether dapagliflozin improves glycemic control, decreases fasting plasma glucose levels, body weight and blood pressure when added to patient's existing medications and how it compares with their usual treatment without added dapagliflozin. Safety data will be collected and analysed to confirm that treatment with dapagliflozin is safe and well tolerated in patients who have diabetes and cardiovascular disease
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety of an IV infusion of GW856553 in healthy volunteers.
The overall aim of the Health2010-14 is to monitor the prevalence and trends of common chronic diseases (osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, asthma, allergy, and eczema) that are often un-diagnosed in the general population as well as biomarkers of micronutrient status. Specific aims include identification of novel lifestyle and genetic risk factors for the above diseases by investigating gene-lifestyle interactions.
The purpose of this study is to assess the relationships between dose and time of consumption of stearidonic acid (SDA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on EPA enrichment of red blood cell (RBC) membranes in men and women.
Eating a diet high in fat contributes to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Acute fat consumption increases levels of fat in the blood and temporarily reduces the ability of blood vessel to dilate (open up to carry additional blood). A similar response is observed during infusion of Intra-Lipid (a fat emulsion used for intravenous nutrition). The present study is designed to help us understand the effects of a fat load on blood vessel function. We will measure arterial dilation using non-invasive techniques before and at the end of a 5-hour infusion of Intra-Lipid in healthy subjects. Subjects will then take the approved drug metformin for two weeks and return for repeat studies of endothelial function with Intra-Lipid infusion. We expect that metformin will help preserve the normal function of blood vessels during a fat load. This study will help us understand how fat affects blood vessels and therefore will advance our knowledge of the development of atherosclerosis and potentially lead to improved methods to prevent and treat heart disease.
The vascular endothelium (inner lining of cells in blood vessels) normally prevents vasospasm and thrombosis by producing nitric oxide and other regulatory substances. In patients with atherosclerosis, endothelial function is impaired. Excess production of reactive oxygen species (free radicals) contribute to endothelial dysfunction in atherosclerosis, and some prior studies have shown a beneficial effect of antioxidant treatment on endothelial function in patients with coronary artery disease. On the other hand, reactive oxygen species may be required for normal endothelial function and antioxidant supplements failed to show a benefit in large clinical trials. The effect of antioxidant treatment on endothelial function in healthy subjects is unknown. The present study will test the hypothesis that scavenging reactive species might reduce endothelium-dependent vasodilation in healthy subjects. The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Participants will receive 2.4 grams of oral NAC or similar-appearing placebo during the first visit, and then will cross over to the alternative treatment (NAC or placebo) for the second and final visit. We will examine endothelial function before and after treatment on each visit.