Comparing Approaches to Assess Nitric Oxide-dependent Cutaneous Vasodilation

NCT06499844 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: EARLY_PHASE1 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 56

Last updated 2025-08-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

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.

Conditions

  • Endothelial Function

Interventions

DRUG

Acetylcholine

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

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • University of Iowa

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Model
SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
30 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2024-08-01
Primary Completion
2025-08-12
Completion
2026-09-30
FDA Drug
Yes

Countries

  • United States

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06499844 on ClinicalTrials.gov