Targeting Oxidative Stress to Prevent Vascular and Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction During Disuse (NCT04351113)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
Prolonged periods of reduced activity are associated with decreased vascular function and muscle atrophy. Physical inactivity due to acute hospitalization is also associated with impaired recovery, hospital readmission, and increased mortality. Older adults are a particularly vulnerable population as functional (vascular and skeletal muscle mitochondrial dysfunction) and structural deficits (loss in muscle mass leading to a reduction in strength) are a consequence of the aging process. The combination of inactivity and aging poses an added health threat to these individuals by accelerating the negative impact on vascular and skeletal muscle function and dysfunction. The underlying factors leading to vascular and skeletal muscle dysfunction are unknown, but have been linked to increases in oxidative stress. Additionally, there is a lack of understanding of how vascular function is impacted by inactivity in humans and how these changes are related to skeletal muscle function. It is our goal to investigate the mechanisms that contribute to disuse muscle atrophy and vascular dysfunction in order to diminish their negative impact, and preserve vascular and skeletal muscle function across all the lifespan.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (3 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (28 items).
Location: VA Medical Center — Salt Lake City, Utah
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- Cardiac abnormalities considered exclusionary by the study physician (e.g., congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), right-to-left shunt)
- Uncontrolled endocrine or metabolic disease (e.g., hypo/hyperthyroidism, diabetes)
- Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) less-than 30 mL/min/1.73m2 or evidence of kidney disease or failure
- Vascular disease or risk factors of peripheral atherosclerosis. (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia greater-than 250 mg/dl, claudication or evidence of venous or arterial insufficiency upon palpitation of femoral, popliteal and pedal arteries)
- Risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) including family history of thrombophilia, DVT, pulmonary emboli, myeloproliferative diseases including polycythemia (Hb greater-than 18 g/dL) or thrombocytosis (platelets greater-than 400x103/mL), and connective tissue diseases (positive lupus anticoagulant), hyperhomocysteinemia, deficiencies of factor V Leiden, proteins S and C, and antithrombin III
- Use of anticoagulant therapy (e.g., Coumadin, heparin)
- Elevated systolic pressure greater-than 150 or a diastolic blood pressure greater-than 100 (treated or untreated)
- Implanted electronic devices (e.g., pacemakers, electronic infusion pumps, stimulators)
- Cancer or history of successfully treated cancer (less than 1 year) other than basal cell carcinoma
- Currently on a weight-loss diet or body mass index greater-than 35 kg/m2 (a BMI of 35 kg/m2, which includes individuals that fall into to the Class I obesity category, has been selected to improve inclusion and generalizability to a greater percentage of the general population).
- Inability to abstain from smoking for duration of study
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- VA Medical Center — Salt Lake City, Utah
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.