Recruiting

Reversing Glucose and Lipid-mediated Vascular Dysfunction

The purpose of our study is to understand the extent to which the blood vessels are affected by glucose and fat (lipids) in lean healthy adults and if these changes in the blood vessels contribute to the development of high blood pressure.

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT04832009

PhaseEARLY_PHASE1

Enrollment46

SponsorUniversity of Kansas Medical Center

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Blood Pressure, Hypertension

About this study

Interventions

Drug: Dextrose 20 % in 500 ML Injection — Dextrose (20% intravenous solution) will be obtained from the Investigational Pharmacy located in the KU Clinical Research Center where studies take place. After fasting for at least 8 hours, dextrose will be administered via antecubital vein at a standard rate of 4 mg/kg/min for 2 hours.
Drug: Intralipid — Intralipid ® 20% will be obtained from the Investigational Pharmacy located in the KU Clinical Research Center where studies take place. After fasting for at least 8 hours, Intralipid ® 20% will be administered via antecubital vein at 0.75 mL/min for 2 hours Increases in circulating markers of oxidative stress peak within 2 hours of Intralipid ® 20% infusion in healthy adults (42). An initial heparin bolus of 1000 UL followed by 200 U/hr infusion will be included to activate endothelial lipoprotein lipase and accelerate hydrolysis of fatty acids.
Drug: Saline — Saline will be obtained from the Investigational Pharmacy located in the KU Clinical Research Center where studies take place. Will be administered via antecubital vein at 75 to 150 mL/hour for 2 hours.
Drug: Ascorbic acid — (ASCOR) will be obtained from the KU Investigational Pharmacy located in the KU Clinical Research Center where studies will take place. A priming bolus of 0.06 g ascorbic acid/kg fat free mass (FFM) dissolved in 100 mL of saline will be infused intravenously at 5 mL/min for 20 minutes, followed immediately by a "drip-infusion" of 0.02 g/kg FFM dissolved in 30 mL of saline administered over 2 hours at 0.5 mL/min. The KU Investigational Pharmacy will randomize ascorbic acid or placebo (saline) for each participant.

Primary outcomes

Efficacy of Infusion of Ascorbic Acid (Baseline)
Efficacy of Infusion of Ascorbic Acid (30 minutes)
Efficacy of Infusion of Ascorbic Acid (60 minutes)
Efficacy of Infusion of Ascorbic Acid (90 minutes)
Efficacy of Infusion of Ascorbic Acid (120 minutes)

Eligibility information

Inclusion Criteria: * Lean: BMI \< 25 kg/m * Normal insulin sensitivity: (calculation based on fasting glucose and insulin concentrations in blood) * Middle-aged: 18-79 years * Blood pressure: \< 140 (systolic) and \< 90 mmHg (diastolic * Weight stable (+/- 5 lbs) for the previous 3 months * Participants must be willing and able to discontinue taking any vitamin C or E supplements or omega-3 fatty acids beginning 2 weeks prior. * Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Diabetes mellitus Type I or Type II: fasting glucose \< 126 mg/dL and/or HbA1c \< 6.5% * Current smoker or History of smoking in the past 3 months. * Hyperlipidemia: Fasting triglycerides \< 250 mg/dL * Hypertension: \>130/80 mmHg * History of heart disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stent, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy) * History of vascular disease (e.g., bypass, stroke)

Study locations

University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66103 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.