6 Clinical Trials for Various Conditions
This double-blind, randomized, crossover trial aims to test the hypothesis that longer-term indoor air filtration intervention can slow atherothrombosis progression by reducing indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure in adults with ischemic heart disease history.
This clinical trial is examining the effect of 4-week aspirin therapy on platelet transcriptome in persons at high-risk for myocardial infarction or stroke due to family history of early-onset coronary artery disease.
This study is being carried out to see if a new drug called ticagrelor given twice daily in addition to the ASA therapy decreases the frequency of cardiovascular events (e.g., death from heart disease, heart attack, or stroke).
The potential for nattokinase to "thin" blood and to reduce blood clotting by positive antithrombotic and fibrinolytic effects presents a unique opportunity to safely study such effects on cardiovascular disease and cognition. Unfortunately, such studies of antithrombotic and fibrinolytic pathways of prevention have been limited due to lack of safe compounds and the adverse reactions associated with current agents such as Coumadin. Nattokinase, an over-the-counter supplement used for cardiovascular health, is the most active functional constituent of natto, a fermented soy product. Natto has been consumed primarily by the Japanese for over 1000 years, a population with one of the lowest risks for cardiovascular disease and dementia. Cardiovascular disease and dementia remain the most challenging age-related health risks of the 21st century for Americans necessitating development of further effective preemptive strategies. Whether reducing the propensity for thrombus formation and/or increasing fibrinolytic activity can prevent the progression of atherosclerosis and cognitive decline has not yet been determined. Using nattokinase under primary prevention conditions, the investigators propose to conduct a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to determine whether decreasing atherothrombotic risk can reduce the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis and cognitive decline. The investigators propose to randomize 240 healthy non-demented women and men to nattokinase supplementation or to placebo for three years. The primary trial endpoints will be measurement of carotid arterial wall thickness and arterial stiffness, early changes of atherosclerosis that can be measured safely by non-invasive imaging techniques. The secondary trial endpoint will be ascertained through change in cognition measured by a neuropsychological battery. In addition, biochemical blood measurements and in vitro studies will be conducted to compare the effects of nattokinase relative to placebo on blood coagulation and thrombus break-down capabilities, blood flow properties, inflammation and inflammatory activation of endothelial cells that line blood vessels.
The Cardiovascular Inflammation Reduction Trial (CIRT) is a randomized clinical trial investigating whether taking low-dose methotrexate reduces heart attacks, strokes, or death in people with type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome that have had a heart attack or multiple coronary blockages. This trial is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)/National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The primary goal is to assess the impact of Evolocumab therapy on platelet function of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients in a randomized, double blind study. Evolocumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody that targets circulating PCSK9, increases hepatic LDL receptor, decreases plasma LDL cholesterol and reduces risk of cardiovascular events. Evolocumab (brand name Rapatha) has been approved by FDA along with diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in adults with FH or atherosclerotic heart or blood vessel problems, who need additional lowering of LDL cholesterol. The secondary goal is to determine if platelet activation or the response to Evolocumab therapy is modified by rs3184504 polymorphism. The investigators believe that these investigations will complement ongoing studies to demonstrate that Evolocumab reduces athero-thrombotic risk and aid the decision-making as to whether Evolocumab can reduce the atherothrombotic risk in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients.