Comparing Approaches to Assess Nitric Oxide-dependent Cutaneous Vasodilation

Conditions

• Endothelial Function

Eligibility Criteria

Sex

ALL

Age

18 Years - 30 Years

Healthy Volunteers

Accepted

Interventions

• Acetylcholine — DRUG
  acetylcholine, and acetylcholine + L-NAME (Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) are locally and acutely delivered to the cutaneous microvasculature to assess endothelium- and nitric oxide-dependent dilation

Study Details

The increase in skin blood flow in response to rapid local heating of the skin (i.e., cutaneous vasodilation) is commonly used to assess nitric oxide (NO)-dependent dilation and overall microvascular function. Historically, rapid local heating to 42°C was considered the standard approach for these assessments. More recently, many investigators have adopted rapid local to 39°C instead, based on its larger dependency on NO and therefore improved ability to quantify NO-dependent dilation without the use of pharmacological techniques. However, to date, only one direct methodological comparison between these protocols has been performed. In this study, the investigators use the blood vessels in the skin as a representative vascular bed for examining mechanisms of microvascular dysfunction in humans. Using a minimally invasive technique (intradermal microdialysis for the local delivery of pharmaceutical agents) they examine the blood vessels in a nickel-sized area of the skin in young adults ages 18 - 30 years old. Local heating of the skin at the microdialysis sites is used to explore differences in mechanisms governing microvascular control. As a compliment to these measurements, the investigators also have participants fill out a variety of surveys to assess things such as sleep quality, physical activity, daily stressors, etc.

Key Dates

Start date

Aug 1, 2024

Status verified

Aug 2025

Primary completion

Aug 12, 2025

Completion

Sep 30, 2026

Study Design

Enrollment

56 participants (estimated)

Allocation

NA

Intervention model

SINGLE_GROUP

Primary purpose

BASIC_SCIENCE

Arms

• Experimental: assessment of microvascular endothelial function
  The investigators use intradermal microdialysis to deliver acetylcholine, L-NAME, and acetylcholine + L-NAME to the cutaneous microvasculature.

Primary Outcome Measure

Microvascular blood flow response to acetylcholine [ Time Frame: baseline study visit (average of 4 hours) ]

Central Contacts

• Anna Stanhewicz, PhD
  3194671732
  [email protected]

Locations (1)

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