Sympathetic Mechanisms in the Cardiovascular and Metabolic Alterations of Obesity, Crossover Design Study.
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Summary
We will study obese hypertensive subjects in a randomized, crossover study to determine if two weeks sympathetic blockade improves endogenous glucose production. Subjects will be studied on 3 different occasions after two weeks of receiving either placebo, amlodipine (vasodilator arm) or moxonidine (study arm). The order of the studies will be determined using computer-generated randomization. Patients will be blinded as to which treatment they are receiving on each day. An investigator blinded to the treatment assignment will perform the analysis of the data.
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * Males and females of all races between 18 and 65 years of age * Hypertension defined by two or more properly measured seated blood pressure readings \>130/85 mmHg or currently on antihypertensive medication. * Obesity will be defined as having a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2. * Able and willing to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or breast feeding * Current smokers or history of heavy smoking (\>2 packs/day) * History of alcohol or drug abuse * Previous allergic reaction to study medications * Type I diabetes. * Cardiovascular disease other…
Interventions
- DrugAmlodipine
Subjects will receive either an antihypertensive (amlodipine or moxonidine) medication or placebo for two weeks, then cross over to the second arm, and then after 2 weeks of the second drug/placebo, will be switched to the third arm.
- DrugMoxonidine
Moxonidine
- DrugPlacebo
Placebo
Location
- Vanderbilt University Medical CenterNashville, Tennessee