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Role of Endothelial Function in SCI CVD Risk
Role of Vascular Endothelial Function After Spinal Cord Injury Related Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Who can join
Ages 18 to 89 · All sexes · Healthy volunteers welcome
Full eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Men and women of all races, ethnic backgrounds\>18 years of age * Traumatic spinal cord injury (Sports, Assault, Transport, Fall, Other Traumatic Causes) * Time since injury (\> 12 months) * Paraplegia Motor Complete Injury (neurological level of injury at T2 or below, ASIA Impairment Scale A or B Exclusion Criteria: * History of high blood pressure * History cardiovascular disease (coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident). * History high cholesterol * History of Diabetes Type I or Type II * History of Obstructive Pulmonary Disease * History of Chronic Kidney or Liver Disease * History of Cancer * History of Autoimmune Disease (Thyroid Disease, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, etc). * History of smoking tobacco in the last 12 months * History of alcohol use
About the study
Individuals with spinal cord injury have heart attacks and strokes more frequently, and much earlier in life. People with spinal cord injuries develop plaque in vessels much faster, and the reasons why are unclear. Doctors generally attributed the increased risk with weight gain and developing diabetes, but many studies have shown that even without these common factors, plaque in vessels is developing more often and faster. Endothelial cells are a single layer of cells that line all vessels in the body and plays an important role in vessel health. Damage to endothelial cells is known to lead to heart attacks and strokes. Past studies on endothelial cells of people with spinal cord injury have been unclear. The investigators have new data that these cells are unhealthy after spinal cord injury a measurement. This includes measuring endothelial health by directly altering its function using a catheter in the arm and measuring small particles in blood called endothelial microvesicles. If the project is successful, the investigators will learn important information on the health of endothelial cells after spinal cord injury. The investigators will also be able to use these markers of endothelial cell function to create treatments to improve vessel health and prevent heart attacks and strokes later in life in people with spinal cord injury.
What is being tested
- Brachial intra-arterial infusion of vasoactive and antioxidant drugs (acetylcholine, nitroprusside, ascorbic acid) (procedure)
- venous occlusion plethysmography (procedure)
- Acetylcholine (drug)
- Sodium Nitroprusside (drug)
- Ascorbic acid (drug)
- venous phlebotomy (procedure)
Sponsor: Craig Hospital · Participants: 60 · Started: Sep 1, 2024
Contact the study team
- Clare Morey, SLP-CCC · Phone: 303-789-8621
- Andrew Park, MD · Phone: 303-789-8101
Official record on ClinicalTrials.gov — NCT06443151
Locations in the U.S.
| Colorado | Craig Hospital, Englewood |
Conditions
From ClinicalTrials.gov, data retrieved Sep 30, 2026. Each study sets its own eligibility; the study team decides who can join.