The Autonomic Nervous System and the Metabolic Syndrome
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2015-05-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The overall goal of this proposal is to determine the role of the autonomic nervous system in
the insulin resistant state associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Obesity
results from an accumulation of excessive fat deposit due to increase caloric intake or
decrease energy expenditure, this condition is usually associated with diseases such as
hypertension or diabetes, a cluster known as the metabolic syndrome. The first step in the
development of the metabolic syndrome is a resistance to the action of insulin. The mechanism
underlying insulin resistance in obesity is still unknown, however some investigators have
proposed that the autonomic nervous system, particularly the increase sympathetic activation
in obesity may play an important role. We have extensive experience studying the role of the
autonomic nervous system in the cardiovascular alterations associated with obesity by
producing complete autonomic withdrawal with a drug named trimethaphan. We propose to use the
same approach to study the role of the autonomic nervous system in the development of insulin
resistance in obesity.
Phase:
N/A
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University Medical Center