Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the non-Hispanic Black (NHB) population is disproportionately affected. Our research has previously demonstrated that oxidative stress may contribute to reduced vascular function in otherwise healthy NHB adults, potentially predisposing them to the development of hypertension and CVD. This study is designed to examine whether the mitochondria are an important source of oxidative stress-induced vascular dysfunction in healthy NHB adults.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
60
MitoQ supplement is composed of mitoquinol mesylate, which is a synthetic analog of coenzyme Q10
MitoQ matched Placebo
During each experimental visit, intradermal microdialysis will be used to locally infuse MitoTempo (a mitochondria-specific superoxide dismutase mimetic) into the cutaneous microvasculature in the ventral aspect of the left forearm.
Ramsey Student Center, University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia, United States
RECRUITINGCutaneous microvascular responses to local heating
Using intradermal microdialysis, skin blood vessels will be locally treated with a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (MitoTempo; 1 mM concentration). Nitric oxide (NO)-mediated skin vasodilation will be quantified via local inhibition of endothelial NO synthase during the course of the local skin heating protocol using L-NAME (15 mM concentration). Finally, maximal skin blood flow will be measured by heating the local area of skin to 43 degrees Celsius and locally perfusing sodium nitroprusside (SNP; an NO donor; 28 mM concentration). Two (2) thin fiber optic laser Doppler flowmeter probes and their holders, containing local heaters, will be used to measure skin blood flow.
Time frame: 1 hour post intervention
Flow-mediated dilation responses
FMD measures the health of blood vessels. The ultrasound makes sound waves to measure the size of blood vessels and the speed of the blood during rest and occlusion. The cuff is inflated to 220 mmHg (a commonly-used suprasystolic pressure; i.e., arterial blood flow is completely occluded) for 5 minutes to stop blood flow to and from the forearm.
Time frame: 1 hour post intervention
Mitochondrial ROS production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)
Blood will be drawn for isolation of PBMCs and measurement of mitochondrial function and oxidative stress production.
Time frame: 1 hour post intervention
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During each experimental visit, intradermal microdialysis will be used to locally infuse Tempol (a superoxide dismutase mimetic) into the cutaneous microvasculature in the ventral aspect of the left forearm.
During each experimental visit, L-NAME (nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) will be perfused through microdialysis fibers for quantification of nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation.
At the end of each experimental visit, SNP will be perfused through microdialysis fibers to elicit a maximal vasodilation response.