View clinical trials related to Inflammation.
Filter by:In the absence of treatment, severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) results in left atrium (LA) dilatation and hypertrophy, followed ultimately by left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. One promising intervention for the prevention of the deleterious effects of pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure is dietary supplementation with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). However, the molecular targets and mechanisms by which n-3 PUFAs exert their effects are not completely defined. A possible target of n-3 PUFAs is the mitochondrial membrane which has broad implications given that mitochondrial dysfunction and altered metabolism have been associated with cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The investigators have recently identified significant mitochondrial dysfunction in the LA of patients with severe MR, as compared to their non-hypertrophied right atrium (RA). However, the investigators have not addressed the possibility that intervention with purified n-3 PUFAs (Lovaza) could improve mitochondrial function. From a mechanistic perspective, the investigators have observed in vitro that n-3 PUFAs accumulate predominately into the mitochondrial membrane of cardiomyocytes where the investigators believe they exert their effects on the biophysical organization of the membrane. Therefore, the CENTRAL HYPOTHESIS is that administering Lovaza to patients with severe MR will reduce apoptosis and improve mitochondrial function in LA (Aim 1). This change in mitochondrial function will be driven by significant biochemical and biophysical remodeling of the mitochondrial membrane (Aim 2).
The present study was designed to determine the prevalence of previously unknown impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes in patients with acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction subjected to acute PCI. Secondary, a possible association between inflammation, haemostasis and abnormal glucose regulation was studied.
Background: - Mast cells are responsible for most symptoms of allergic reactions. In some allergic diseases, it is unusually easy to cause mast cells to release their contents and cause allergic reactions. In other cases, mast cells grow abnormally and, in rare cases, can result in tumors. Mast cells also control other parts of the immune system. - Understanding why mast cells behave abnormally in allergic diseases is important to finding better ways for diagnosing and treating these potentially life-threatening disorders. Objectives: - To screen mast cells at the genetic and functional levels to characterize abnormalities, identify mutations, detect carrier states, and/or develop therapies for such disorders. - To create a library of information about inherited diseases of mast cell homeostasis and activation, including piebaldism (problems with skin and hair pigmentation), anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction), allergies, asthma, atopic dermatitis (eczema), allergic rhinitis ( hay fever ), food allergies, urticaria/angioedema (hives/swelling), immunodeficiency diseases, and autoimmune diseases. Eligibility: - Patients between the ages of 1 and 80 years who have been referred by a physician and are known to have or be suspected of having an inherited disorder of mast cells, in particular patients (and their relatives) with piebaldism, allergies, or anaphylaxis that is not caused by allergies. Design: - Study population will consist of up to 1000 participants in a 5-year period. One third of the study population will consist of patients; the other two thirds will consist of biological relatives. - Evaluation is limited to testing on blood specimens; no treatment will be provided. - Clinical and research laboratory evaluations of patients will include the following: - Clinical evaluation and previous laboratory tests as documented in outside medical records by health care providers. A standard questionnaire will also be administered at the time of subject enrollment. - Blood collection for clinical laboratory testing, tailored to each subject s clinical evaluation where appropriate (5 ml). - Blood collection for research laboratory testing, tailored to each subject s clinical evaluation including genetic screening and assessment of mast cell growth and functioning and storage of additional frozen blood specimens for future studies (up to an additional 30 ml). - Evaluations of blood relatives will include the following: - Clinical evaluation as documented from outside medical records by health care providers and administration of a standard questionnaire. - Blood collection where indicated for diagnostic or research purposes. - After 12 consecutive months on the study, results from initial evaluation will be reviewed. Subjects with findings deemed to be of continued interest will be contacted and invited to remain as active participants to this protocol for another year, provided that they renew their consent to participate.
The general objective is to elucidate the mechanisms whereby sex hormones may modulate the severity of respiratory disease. An important component of this proposal is a systematic and intensive approach to characterize how the cellular and cytokine components of airway inflammation respond to fluctuations in sex hormone levels. The effects of menstrual fluctuations in levels of sex hormones on inflammation and bacterial load in respiratory secretions of CF patients will also be determined.
Over half of adults in this country are overweight. This increases risk for heart and blood pressure problems, cancer, stroke and arthritis. While it is difficult to lose large amounts of weight and keep it off, even small amounts of weight loss can improve health. Furthermore, fat is increasingly recognized as a source of substances that increase inflammation. It may be that some of the adverse consequences of being overweight are due to increased inflammation. We are asking you to volunteer for a research study in which you may lose a moderate amount of weight and increase your activity. It is important that you read and understand the information on this form. The purposes of these studies are to determine the influence(s) of age and body composition on the production of inflammatory chemicals by fat (adipose tissue), the mechanisms controlling this, and if a weight loss and aerobic exercise intervention results in a decrease in inflammation.
The relationship between obesity and insulin resistance is known, however the mechanism(s) associating obesity with insulin resistance is not well understood. Inflammation and accumulation of fat in non fat tissue (like muscle) are conditions found on obesity which could be the potential link between obesity and insulin resistance. This study is designed to test the effects of two different drugs on numerous features of the obesity and insulin resistance in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Impaired glucose tolerance is a condition where blood sugar is too high after drinking a sugary drink containing 75 grams of sugar. Impaired glucose tolerant subjects are insulin resistant and at risk of developing diabetes. The drugs to be used are fenofibrate and pioglitazone. Fenofibrate is used to reduce the amount of fat (triglycerides) in the blood while pioglitazone is routinely used to make the body more sensitive to insulin in patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of either of these two medications (pioglitazone and fenofibrate) alone or the combination of both on fat accumulation in body (muscle) and inflammation. The amount of fat accumulation in muscle is thought to affect insulin sensitivity. In addition, the changes in the level of proteins produced by fat tissues will be studied in response to the two medications in this study. These proteins are thought to be involved in diabetes and insulin resistance. These studies are designed to examine fundamental clinical mechanisms underlying the metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
After cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonar bypass, the LPS-stimulated cytokine response has been previously shown to be depressed. Therefore, in this trial the hypothesis was tested, whether simple immunomodulting interventions like the i.v. adminstration of mannitol of hemofiltration during cardipulmonary bypass can attenuate this immunosuppressing effect.
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a serious sleep disorder in which a person's breathing is restricted during sleep. Obese individuals with OSA are at an increased risk of inflammation and heart conditions, but it is unknown whether this risk is related to the effects of OSA or obesity. This study will evaluate whether OSA or obesity plays the primary role in inflammation related to heart disease. The study will also determine the independent effects of OSA and obesity on insulin resistance and blood vessel function.
To prospectively observe the association of the LAP-BAND procedure on quality of life, anthropometric, metabolic and biochemical parameters in morbidly obese patients when performed by experienced US surgeons. The study will also include a complete economic analysis of the LAP-BAND procedure and follow-up costs Hypothesis: Measurements defining quality of life and the severity of obesity and obesity related comorbidities improve significantly over baseline with the LAP-BAND System treatment at 6 and 12 months post surgery when performed by an experienced surgeon.
The aim of this study is to explore and identify the effects of acetylcysteine, a common mucolytic with anti-oxidant property, on alleviating the damage caused by increased oxidative stress in hemodialysis patients.