Interaction of Apelin and Angiotensin in the Human Forearm Circulation

University of Edinburgh

Status: Completed

Conditions: Vasodilation; Heart Disease

Treatments: Drug: Sodium nitroprusside infusion; Drug: Apelin infusion

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT00901888

FS/09/019/26905 - 1a

Details and patient eligibility

About

The apelin-APJ system is a relatively new discovery. It has generated interest in part due to it's apparent ability to counteract the renin-angiotensin system, which is frequently overactive in many cardiovascular disease.

Angiotensin has a powerful ability to cause blood vessels constrict and reduces their diameter. One of the actions of apelin is to cause blood vessels to relax and the investigators specifically wish test the hypothesis that apelin will cause blood vessels constricted by angiotensin II to relax.

Enrollment: 12 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 85 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• > 18 years old

Exclusion criteria

• Lack of informed consent
• Age < 18 years,
• Current involvement in other research studies,
• Systolic blood pressure >190 mmHg or <100 mmHg
• Malignant arrhythmias
• Renal or hepatic failure
• Haemodynamically significant aortic stenosis
• Severe or significant co morbidity
• Women of childbearing potential.
• Any regular medication
• Previous history of any cardiovascular disease

Trial design

Primary purpose: Basic Science

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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12 participants in 2 patient groups

Angiotensin II infusion

Experimental group

Description:

Using forearm venous occlusion plethysmography angiotensin II will be infused to cause reduction in forearm blood flow. Infusion of apelin and sodium nitroprusside will given and vasodilatation will be assessed. Blood samples for the infused arm and contra-lateral arm will be taken at regular time points to assess local and systemic changes in relevant hormones.

Treatment:

Drug: Sodium nitroprusside infusion

Drug: Apelin infusion

Noradrenaline

Active Comparator group

Description:

Using forearm venous occlusion plethysmography noradrenaline will be infused to cause reduction in forearm blood flow. Infusion of apelin and sodium nitroprusside will given and vasodilatation will be assessed. Blood samples for the infused arm and contra-lateral arm will be taken at regular time points to assess local and systemic changes in relevant hormones.

Treatment:

Drug: Sodium nitroprusside infusion

Drug: Apelin infusion