Enhancing Parasympathetic Activity to Improve Endothelial Dysfunction, Vascular Oxidative Stress in African Americans

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Endothelial dysfunction, a pro-thrombotic, inflammatory condition that causes impaired vascular reactivity is an early reversible step in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Multiple studies consistently shown that African Americans (AAs) have impaired endothelial fu...

Endothelial dysfunction, a pro-thrombotic, inflammatory condition that causes impaired vascular reactivity is an early reversible step in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Multiple studies consistently shown that African Americans (AAs) have impaired endothelial function compared to whites. African Americans also experience disproportionately higher CV morbidity and 20% higher mortality than whites or Hispanics. Endothelial dysfunction is caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly superoxide which interferes with endothelial-derived nitric oxide signaling pathways. One of the major sources of superoxide is NADPH oxidase; our previous work found that activation of NADPH oxidase contributes to vascular oxidation through the formation of highly immunogenic isolevuglandins (IsoLG-protein adducts) in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMCs), which stimulates antigen presenting cells (APC) and inflammatory mediators. Inflammation and oxidative stress are modulated by the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). The investigators and others found that AAs have reduced PNS activity compared with whites. The investigators preliminary data in obese AA women found that stimulation of the PNS cholinergic transmission with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, galantamine, blocked the production of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines induced by lipids. The overall goal of the current proposal is to determine if prolonged treatment with galantamine improves endothelial dysfunction and vascular oxidative stress in AAs. For this purpose, the investigators will conduct a proof-of-concept, blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled study to test the effect of 3-month treatment with galantamine (16 mg/day) on vascular oxidative stress and impaired vascular reactivity in AAs. Specifically, the investigators will evaluate whether galantamine treatment inhibits the activation of NADPH-IsoLG formation and the subsequent immunogenic responses in PBMCs. Furthermore, the investigators will determine if galantamine decreases markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in harvested endothelial cells (ECs) and improves vascular reactivity in the same study subjects. The planned studies will provide a comprehensive assessment of the mechanism underlying the effect of increased PNS cholinergic transmission on endothelial dysfunction. If the investigators' hypothesis is correct, and galantamine improves endothelial dysfunction in AAs, a population with a high risk for CVD, they will discover a novel mechanism that could alter the oxidative and immunogenic responses in this population and will offer a potential pathway for the development of more effective therapies aimed at decreasing CVD.

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