Leptin Infusion and Endothelial Vasomotor Response
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2006-12-20
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Adipose tissue is an active endocrine organ producing several hormones with circulatory and
metabolic effects. In 1994, the hormone leptin was discovered. The lack of this hormone
explained extreme obesity in rare patients and parenteral substitution restored body weight
and metabolic disturbances. It was however soon discovered that most humans had too high
levels which were related to development of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. It was
hypothesised that leptin induced vessel dysfunction which could explain this association.
In this study, we wanted to examine the association between leptin and vessel function by
using the venous occlusion plethysmography method. We used three protocols to evaluate this
association.
First protocol. In ten healthy males, leptin was infused locally in the forearm and blood
flow was measured.
Second protocol. In ten healthy males, leptin or normal saline was infused locally in the
forearm and blood flow was measured. Concomitantly, four vasodilatators were infused locally
in the forearm in a randomised order and the response (blood flow and fibrinolysis) was
measured.
Third protocol. In eighty-three patients with known coronary artery disease, three
vasodilators were infused locally in the forearm in a random order and response (blood flow
and fibrinolysis) was measured. The response was related to endogenous leptin levels.
The two first protocols were performed in Umeå, Sweden whereas the third was performed in
Edinburgh, UK, all in 2006.
Phase:
Early Phase 1
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Stefan Soderberg
Collaborator:
University of Edinburgh
Treatments:
Acetylcholine Bradykinin Nitroprusside Substance P Vasodilator Agents Verapamil