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Endometriosis and Microvascular Dysfunction: Role of Inflammation
Mechanisms and Interventions Addressing Accelerated Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Endometriosis
Who can join
Ages 18 to 45 · Women · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy women between the ages of 18 and 45 years (Controls), taking oral contraceptive or with regular menses every 26-34 days * Women between the ages of 18 and 45 years with endometriosis (diagnosis by prior laparoscopy by subject's own physician \<5 years prior, and reported by the subject to the researchers) * Tylenol if the subject has acute pain is allowed * Contraceptive use is allowed Exclusion Criteria: * Use of nicotine-containing products (e.g. smoking, chewing tobacco, etc.) * Diabetes (HbA1C 6.5%) * BP\>140/90 * Taking pharmacotherapy that could alter peripheral vascular control (e.g. insulin sensitizing, cardiovascular medications) * Pregnancy * Breastfeeding * Taking illicit and/or recreational drugs * Abnormal liver function * Rash, skin disease, disorders of pigmentation, known skin allergies * Diagnosed or suspected metabolic or cardiovascular disease * Persistent unexplained elevations of serum transaminases * Known allergy to latex or investigative substances (including salsalate or simvastatin) * History of gastrointestinal bleeding
About the study
The purpose of this study is to better understand the underlying mechanisms associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk in women with endometriosis, and to measure the effectiveness of emerging endometriosis treatments on outcomes specific to cardiovascular dysfunction.
Epidemiologic data demonstrate a clear association between endometriosis, reproductive risk factors, inflammation and cardiovascular (CV) risk. Circulating factors, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL), are two of many biomarkers of cardiovascular and inflammatory disease of endometriosis. An important signaling mechanism through which circulating LDL and oxLDL act is the lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor (LOX-1). LOX-1 signal transduction functionally results in pronounced endothelial dysfunction, a hallmark of CV. The investigators hypothesis that one factor mediating the elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in endometriosis is systemic inflammation and activation of LOX-1 receptor mechanisms.
What is being tested
- Salsalate Pill (drug)
- Placebo (drug)
Sponsor: Penn State University · Participants: 24 · Started: Jan 1, 2022
Contact the study team
- Lacy M Alexander, Ph.D. · Phone: 8148671781
- Susan Slimak, RN · Phone: 814-863-8554
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT05069740
Locations in the U.S.
| Pennsylvania | The Pennsylvania State University, University Park |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 29, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.