The Relationship Between Irisin and Bone Health in Individuals With Spinal Cord Injury (IBSCI)
Spinal Cord Injury
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Spinal Cord Injury focused on measuring Spinal cord injuries, Irisin, Bone mineral density, Exercise
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
Participants with SCI:
- age 18 years or older
- traumatic SCI at the cervical level 4 or lower that occurred at least 12 months prior to the start of the study
- American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A, B or C
- uses a manual wheelchair as primary means of mobility (30+ hours per week)
- is able to perform a transfer independently to and from a wheelchair
- has adequate strength and upper extremity function to operate an arm ergometer
Control Participants:
- age and sex-matched to participant with SCI
Exclusion Criteria:
Participants with SCI:
- active use of medications which potentially affect bone metabolism, including: parathyroid hormone and analogs, androgenic or estrogenic steroids, bisphosphonates, oral glucocorticoids (use for more than 3 months)
- history of fractures or dislocations in the upper extremity from which the participant has not fully recovered
- upper limb pain or injury that interferes with the ability to perform aerobic exercise
- recent hospitalization for any reason (within the past three months)
- history of coronary artery disease, coronary bypass surgery or other cardiorespiratory events or conditions
- likely to experience clinically significant autonomic dysreflexia and/ or orthostatic hypotension in response to vigorous exercise
endocrinopathy or metabolic disorders of the bone
- e.g. Paget's disease, renal bone disease
- history of allergic reaction to lidocaine
- any other conditions that the person's primary care physician deems is a contraindication to participation in arm ergometry exercise stress testing or vigorous exercise
- pregnant
- participation in another "Greater than Minimal Risk" study.
Control Participants:
- active use of medications which potentially affect bone metabolism, including: parathyroid hormone and analogs, androgenic or estrogenic steroids, bisphosphonates, oral glucocorticoids (use for more than 3 months)
- history of neuromuscular conditions which could influence muscle gene expression
- history of lower body musculoskeletal injuries from which the participant has not fully recovered
- recent hospitalization for any reason (within the past three months)
- history of allergic reaction to lidocaine
- any other conditions that the person's primary care physician deems is a contraindication to the performance of a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy
- pregnant
- participation in another "Greater than Minimal Risk" study
Sites / Locations
- VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PARecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Individuals with SCI
Controls (No SCI)
Male and female, Veteran and non-Veteran participants with traumatic SCI will complete the baseline blood draw, muscle biopsy and DXA/HR-pQCT bone imaging. This group will complete blood draws before and after arm ergometer high-intensity interval exercise bout.
Male and female Veterans, age and sex-matched to participants with SCI will complete the baseline blood draw, muscle biopsy and DXA/HR-pQCT bone imaging. This group will complete blood draws before and after arm ergometer high-intensity interval exercise bout.