Overview
The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6).
Our study is a prospective study using a randomized, double-blinded design to test 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) compared with a BP-lowering control condition (diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide) or a placebo.
Description
- Using a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-design approach, we hypothesize that 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in expression of inflammatory markers in blood, endothelial cells, and central adipose compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment.
- Determine the extent to which inflammation in the body is caused by elevated sympathetic nerve activity
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or Female, age 18-79
- Obese: BMI \> 30 m/kg2
- Hypertensive: blood pressure \>130/80
- Elevated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR \> 2.5)
- Waist circ: \>102 cm (men) and \>88 cm (women)
- Fasting glucose \< 126 mg/dL
- Fasting triglycerides \< 250 mg/dL
- HbA1c \< 6.5%
- Willing to visit research lab (Fairway CTSU)
- Willing to undergo a blood draw
- Able to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
- Current use of clonidine or beta-blockers
- Current smoker or History of smoking in the past 3 months.
- Hyperlipidemia: Fasting triglycerides \> 250 mg/dL
- Currently taking hypertension medication
- History of heart disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stent, byass, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy)
- History of neurological disorders
- History of transplant
- Actively participating in other studies, except for a registry study.
