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Racial DisparitiesMAVHSNCT04334135

The Influence of Mitochondrial-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species on Racial Disparities in Neurovascular Function

A study testing MitoQ in people with Racial Disparities and Blood Pressure, run by Auburn University at 1 site in United States.

Unknown status

Status not confirmed. The sponsor has not verified this record for over two years, so it may be out of date.

Official record
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Trial summary

Black individuals are at increased cardiovascular disease risk. The central goal of the study is to determine if mitochondrial reactive oxygen species influence blood vessel function and nervous system regulation of blood pressure differentially in black, compared to white individuals. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 19 to 75 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
What is being tested?
MitoQ
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
2 Oct 2020to 31 Aug 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 19 to 75 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Are between the ages of 19-75.
  • Have blood pressure no higher than 150/90 mmHg.
  • Have a BMI below 35 Kg/m2 (otherwise healthy)
  • Free from metabolic disease (diabetes or renal disease), pulmonary disorders (e.g., COPD \& cystic fibrosis), and cardiovascular disease (peripheral vascular, cardiac, or cerebrovascular).
  • Do not have any precluding medical issues that prevent participants from exercising (i.e., cardiovascular issues, or muscle/joint issues including painful arthritis) or giving blood (e.g., blood thinners).
  • Are not currently smoking, using smokeless tobacco, nor smoked within the past 12 months.

Who cannot join

  • Known allergy to MitoQ
  • High blood pressure - greater the 150/90 mmHg
  • Low blood pressure - less than 90/50 mmHg
  • History of cardiovascular disease
  • History of cancer
  • History of diabetes
Show all 12Show fewer
  • History of kidney disease
  • Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2)
  • Smoking or tobacco use
  • Current pregnancy
  • Nursing mothers
  • Communication barriers

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Austin T Robinson, PhD contact

334 844 1619

atr0026@auburn.edu

Zachary J Hutchison, MS contact

zzh0026@auburn.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Kinesiology Building

    Auburn, Alabama, 36849

    Mary Rudisill, PhD, 334-844-1458, rudisme@auburn.edu

    Jared Russell, PhD, (334) 844-1429, russej3@auburn.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Black individuals are at increased cardiovascular disease risk. The central goal of the study is to determine if mitochondrial reactive oxygen species influence blood vessel function and nervous system regulation of blood pressure differentially in black, compared to white individuals. These findings may help to explain a potential mechanism that contributes to racial disparities in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk. A secondary goal is to determine if mitochondrial reactive oxygen species improves blood pressure and vascular function in individuals with elevated blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension.

Read the detailed description

The prevalence of hypertension in black adults is higher than in any other race/ethnicity in the US, and among the highest in the world. Hypertension is a risk factor for several major cardiovascular diseases. Racial disparities in blood vessel function are well documented. Moreover, racial disparities in hypertension persist despite advances in pharmacotherapies. Therefore, a major knowledge gap remains in identifying the mechanism(s) underlying racial disparities in hypertension, and ultimately cardiovascular diseases.

Our goal is to investigate reasons for the higher prevalence of blood vessel dysfunction and hypertension in black individuals, and to identify effective preventive strategies. Excess free radicals contribute to blood vessel dysfunction, kidney dysfunction, and thus hypertension as both blood vessel health and the kidneys contribute to blood pressure regulation. Moreover, excess free radicals contribute to blood vessel dysfunction in black adults. Mitochondria are a major source of free radicals. Mitochondria antioxidants improve blood vessel function in rodents and in human trials. A prior aging study demonstrated that acute MitoQ (single 160mg-dose mitoquinone) restored blood vessel function in older adults. Anohter recent study demonstrated that a single 80mg dose elicited similar improvements in adults with peripheral artery disease. however, the role of mitochondrial free radicals in racial disparites in blood vessel function is unclear. Our central hypothesis is that mitochondrial free radicals play a role in reduced blood vessel function and kidney in black adults. We will test our hypothesis using a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design, acute MitoQ supplement study in black and white adults (we will not exclude other races though). We will also measure blood pressure and urine biomarkers that are indicative of kidney injury in this proposal.

Regarding methodology, we will perform blood draws, vascular testing, and record nervous system activity before and one hour after acute MitoQ and placebo consumption. We will also measure urine biomarkers of kidney function and blood pressure in the hours following acute MitoQ and placebo consumption in adults (19-75 years old).

Being tested
MitoQ
Keywords
blood pressure, hypertension, cardiovascular health, renal function, health disparities
Medical subject headings
Hypertension

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • MitoQDietary supplement

    Four to eight 20mg capsules (depending on body mass)

Study groups in NCT04334135
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
MitoQExperimentalParticipants will have sympathetic nerve activity, vascular function, blood pressure and blood samples (from intravenous catheters) assessed before and after acute MitoQ supplementation (80 - 160mg).
Receives: Dietary Supplement: MitoQ
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorParticipants will have sympathetic nerve activity, vascular function, blood pressure and blood samples (from intravenous catheters) assessed before and after a placebo matched in appearance to the MitoQ.
Receives: Dietary Supplement: MitoQ

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD)

    Flow-mediated vasodilation will be assessed using continuous measures of brachial artery diameter and velocity via duplex Doppler ultrasound (Hitachi Arietta 70). The brachial artery will be imaged in the longitudinal plane proximal to the medial epicondyle using a high-frequency (6-12 MHz) linear-array probe. The ultrasound probe will be stabilized using a custom-built clamp. Shear rate (sec-1) will be calculated as [(blood flow velocity (cm*s-1) *4)/blood vessel diameter (mm)] The image will be recorded throughout a 60-s baseline, a 300-s ischemic stimulus (250 mmHg), and 180 seconds post deflation. FMD will be expressed as % dilation (final diameter-baseline diameter/baseline diameter x 100) and also normalized to the shear stimulus. Allometric scaling will be used if appropriate, including if there are baseline differences in artery diameter by race or condition.

    Measured: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo

  2. Changes in indices of arterial stiffness

    The investigators will use the SphygmoCor XCEL system to assess pulse wave analysis (PWA) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). A high-fidelity strain-gauge transducer is used to obtain the pressure waveform at the carotid and radial pulse. Distances from the carotid artery sampling site to the femoral artery (upper leg instrumented with a thigh cuff for oscillometric sphygmomanometry), and from the carotid artery to the suprasternal notch will be recorded. The investigators will also assess forward and reflective wave magnitudes. PWV will be expressed as cm/s and PWA will be expressed as % (calculated as augmentation pressure divided by the pulse pressure).

    Measured: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo

  3. Changes in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and sympathetic transduction

    The investigators will directly record MSNA using an active tungsten microelectrode inserted into a nerve near the fibular head or popliteal fossa using standard microneurography techniques. The raw signal will be amplified, band-pass filtered, rectified, and integrated using a nerve traffic analyzer. The presence of MSNA will be confirmed by a pulse-synchronous signal that responds to an end-expiratory breath-hold and stimulation of muscle (tendon tapping), but not skin afferents (gentle skin stroke and/or startle stimulus). MSNA will be expressed as bursts per minute and per 100 cardiac cycles. Further, the investigators will measure common femoral artery blood flow using ultrasound and mean arterial pressure using photoplethysmography. This will allow determination of sympathetic transduction (the vasoconstrictor and pressor effects of MSNA) expressed as changes in blood pressure (mmHg) or changes in vascular conductance (ml blood flow/mmHg).

    Measured: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo

  4. Changes in blood pressure reactivity

    The investigators will measure systolic and diastolic pressure using photoplethysmography at the finger. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be assessed at rest and during handgrip exercise. Blood pressure reactivity will be expressed as a change in pressure (mmHg) from baseline to a predetermined time during the stressor (e.g., minute one average and minute two average).

    Measured: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo

  5. Changes in circulating reactive oxygen species

    We will use electron paramagnetic resonance to measure reactive oxygen species (spectra units) in whole blood samples treated with a spin probe.

    Measured: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo

  6. Changes in blood biomarkers of nitric oxide bioavailability

    The investigators will measure nitric oxide metabolites (nitrate and nitrite nanomolar concentration).

    Measured: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo

Secondary outcomes (7)
  1. Objective sleep duration and quality

    Philips actiwatch spectrum will be used to quantify sleep duration. Participants will wear the watch units for 7 days. We will assess qualitative sleep scores and cross-check actigraphy wear times with a sleep diary.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

  2. Subjective sleep duration and quality

    We will use the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to asses sleep duration and perceived sleep quality reflective of the one month period leading into the study.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

  3. Physical activity

    Participants will wear an ActiGraph GT3X accelerometer for seven days to objectively quantify steps per day and metabolic equivalents per day.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

  4. Cardiorespiratory fitness

    We will use indirect calorimetry to measure the participant's maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) during incremental exercise on a treadmill. We will use a Parvo TrueOne metabolic cart and Woodway treadmill.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

  5. Mental health - social anxiety

    We will administer the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale. The scale starts at 0 (none) and ends at 3 (severe) for 24 questions related to anxiety and avoidance, and a cumulative score is calculated.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

  6. Mental health - depression

    We will administer the Beck's Depression Inventory. The scale starts at 0 and ends at 3 for 21 questions related to depression.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

  7. Habitual dietary intake

    We will instruct participants to complete a diet log for 6 days which will be operationalized with Nutrition Data System for Research (NDSR).

    Measured: Baseline (pre-intervention)

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted6 Apr 2020
  2. Study start2 Oct 2020
  3. Primary completion31 Jul 2025 (estimated)
  4. Study completion31 Aug 2025 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Basic science
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Crossover
Model description
The intervention is to provide subjects with either a mitochondrial antioxidant, MitoQ (no more than 160 mg) and a placebo (dextrin and silica), in a randomized order.
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04334135
Sponsor's protocol ID
AU IRB#20-105
Acronym
MAVHS
Status last verified
May 2024
First submitted
2 Apr 2020
Last updated
29 May 2024
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
Yes
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data with all HIPAA identifiers removed may be shared in future collaborative efforts pending appropriate DMDA approvals

Publications

  • Stute NL, Muma JP, Hutchison ZJ, Culver MN, Linder BA, Sanchez SO, Kirkman DL, Gutierrez OM, Kavazis AN, Robinson AT. Eight weeks of MitoQ supplementation does not alter kidney function or urinary kidney injury biomarkers in middle-aged and older adults. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2026 Aug 1;331(2):F272-F285. doi: 10.1152/ajprenal.00174.2026. Epub 2026 Jul 8.

    PubMed 42420763
  • Culver MN, Linder BA, Lyons DE, Hutchison ZJ, Garrett CL, McNeil JN, Robinson AT. Do not sleep on vitamin D: vitamin D is associated with sleep variability in apparently healthy adults. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2025 Mar 1;328(3):R262-R273. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00168.2024. Epub 2025 Jan 28.

    PubMed 39873709

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing MitoQ in people with Racial Disparities and Blood Pressure, run by Auburn University at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 6 inclusion and 12 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: status not confirmed, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 May 2024. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

Results are not available in the source record.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Austin T Robinson, PhD (334 844 1619, atr0026@auburn.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Changes in flow-mediated dilation (FMD) (time frame: Before and one hour after supplementation or placebo). The study lists 6 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT04334135, which also lists 2 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 May 2024.

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