Active clinical trials for "Inflammation"

The purpose of this project is to evaluate whether omega-3 fatty acid supplementation (combined eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid [EPA/DHA] supplement) augments the effects of a 12-week resistance training program in older men. Outcome variables include inflammatory biomarkers in the systemic circulation, body composition and performance measures. The specific inflammatory markers in the blood include: C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interleukin-6. Remaining parameters include: body composition (as assessed by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), muscle strength (as assessed by chest press and leg press one-repetition maximum strength tests), and functional ability (as assessed by timed up and go test as well as the 6-minute walking test).

By 2015 half of the people living with HIV infection in the U.S. are estimated be over the age of 50, and this cohort of patients with well-controlled plasma viremia is aging at a more rapid pace than their non-HIV peers. Long-term chronic inflammation plays a critical role in premature aging in HIV-infected adults. Markers associated with chronic inflammation, including IL-6, CRP, sCD14 and d-dimer, have not only been shown to be present at higher levels in HIV-infected adults, but are also correlated to a wide variety of morbidities and mortality. The goal of this project is to determine the impact of two different interventions -- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Health Enhancement Program (HEP) -- on reducing biological markers associated with chronic inflammation in HIV-infected adults with an undetectable HIV viral load. In order to achieve this goal, a pilot RCT with 120 subjects over 50 years old who are on anti-retroviral therapy (ART) will be conducted with the following specific aims: 1) to assess the effect of MBSR and/or HEP on biomarkers of chronic inflammation (IL-6, CRP, sCD14, d-dimer), and, 2) to explore whether changes in psychological well-being (anxiety, depression, fatigue, cognitive functioning) mediate the impact on chronic inflammation. Subjects will be randomized to participation in a group MBSR course or to the HEP group both of which consist of 8 weekly sessions followed by 6 monthly booster sessions. Three time points will be measured: baseline, 8 weeks (immediately after completion of weekly intervention), and 6-months post-completion of weekly intervention. Mixed linear and structural equation model will be used to test the study hypotheses. The proposed study is innovative in that it is the first to explore the impact of a complementary mind-body intervention on chronic inflammation in HIV-infected adults. Given that the consequences of early aging in this cohort will be a burden on the health care system as well as a medical, social and psychological burden on those living with HIV, the study has the potential to have a major public health impact.

The main objective of the current trial is to investigate safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and effect on inflammation of oral BI 1026706 administered twice daily for 4 weeks in patients with COPD.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection damages body defence mainly by affecting two important white blood cells called cluster of differentiation (CD4) T cells and monocytes. This immune dysfunction leads to persistent inflammation, which is partially resolved with long-term anti-HIV therapy. Importantly, such inflammation increases risk for cardiovascular, diabetes, and kidney diseases. The causes of this inflammation are largely unknown and include HIV itself, presence of other infections, lifestyle characteristics like increased cholesterol levels, obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse. In addition, inflammation can be driven by certain type of anti-HIV therapy called protease inhibitor (PI). PI has been associated with an increase of cholesterol and may contribute to inflammation. A new class of medication that is now available in Canada called integrase inhibitor (II) may have a lesser or no effect on cholesterol levels. Therefore, it is important to study the effect of II on cholesterol levels and inflammation. The purpose of this study is to assess the inflammatory changes, in the blood of persons treated with PI that will switch to the II or may remain on their PI-containing regimen. By comparing persons continuing their current PI-based regimen with those who switch to II-based regimen, we will know if the change from PI to raltegravir (Isentress), a type of II, decreases lipids and inflammatory markers. The adult persons living with HIV, who are on PI-based therapy for more than a year, with any CD4 T cell count and plasma viral load below level of detection, will be invited to participate in the study. 40 study participants will be selected by randomization (like a toss of a coin) to either continue PI-based regimen (20 participants) or switch to raltegravir-based regimen (20 participants) for a period of 12 months. Blood samples of the study participants will be drawn before, during and at the end of study to evaluate changes in markers of inflammation, cholesterol level and CD4 T cell and monocyte function. No experimental anti-HIV medication will be used; change of therapy will include raltegravir which is one of currently recommended medications to treat HIV in Canada. This study will be able to answer this important question whether inflammation can be decreased by switching therapy from PI-based therapy to raltegravir-based therapy. Ultimately, information provided by this study will contribute to the health of persons living with HIV.

This safety pilot study evaluates the effect of hydroxychloroquine on preventing recurrent cardiovascular events among myocardial infarction patients. Half of the participants will receive hydroxychloroquine, whereas the other half will receive placebo during six months.

The objective of this study is to provide critical information regarding both common and distinctive roles of EPA and DHA in systemic inflammation and lipid metabolism.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal codominant single-gene disorder caused by mutations in the LDL receptor gene that disrupt the normal clearance of LDL particles from the plasma compartment. Heterozygous patients present a 2- to 3-fold raise in plasma LDL-cholesterol (C) concentrations, tendinous xanthomatosis and premature atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD), usually occurring between the age of 35 and 55 years. Since the mid-1970s, LDL-C has been removed from the blood of patients using plasmapheresis, and this technique has been shown to improve the life expectancy of FH homozygotes. LDL apheresis selectively removes LDL particles but not immunoglobulins and other beneficial proteins, thereby overcoming a potential drawback of the traditional plasmapheresis method. LDL-C is effectively reduced by more than 60% immediately after LDL apheresis, although LDL levels rebound rapidly. Dextran sulfate adsorption is a commonly apheresis technique used in familial hypercholesterolemia patients. In this apheresis plasma is separated from red blood cells and passed over columns of cellulose beads containing dextran sulfate which binds apolipoprotein B (apoB) by a highly selective electrostatic binding mechanism. Since LDL, very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and Lipoprotein (a) all contain apoB, dextran sulfate adsorption apheresis selectively reduces these lipoproteins while having little effect on the non-apoB containing HDL particles. In clinical practice, LDL apheresis reduces the rate of future cardiovascular events and has been postulated to have additional effects on potentially pro-atherogenic factors. Some proteins have been identified with adhesive characteristics to lipoproteins, rheological, immunological and inflammation relevant proteins16-19 that influence microcirculation as well as the inflammatory response. However, no studies have yet to investigate the impact of LDL apheresis on the expression of different genes involved in cardiovascular disease. The main objective of the present research project is to investigate the impact of the LDL apheresis dextran sulfate adsorption system on the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of genes involved in cardiovascular disease using microarrays analysis in 9 FH homozygotes.

Diet plays a central role in the regulation of chronic inflammation. However, until the investigators developed the dietary inflammatory index (DII) there had been no scientifically valid way to relate what individuals eat to the capacity of foods consumed to modulate inflammation. The DII provides a tool that will form the basis of a counseling/instructional system aimed at helping patients and their providers to control chronic, systemic inflammation by improving the diet with specific, actionable dietary recommendations, counseling, and expert instruction. The goal of this study is to test the applicability of a DII mobile tool and associated counseling measures in clinical practice.

Phase 2b trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of EGP-437, versus placebo using the EyeGate® II Drug Delivery System (EGDS) in patients having undergone cataract surgery with implantation of a monofocal posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL).

This study's objective is to determine the pharmacokinetics (PK)/pharmacodynamics (PD), safety and efficacy of methylprednisolone in infants undergoing heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. This is a prospective, double blind, multi-center, placebo-controlled safety and efficacy study. Blood samples will be collected from a subset of enrolled study participants to evaluate multiple dose methylprednisolone PK/PD. Participants will be randomized in a 1:1 fashion to intravenous methylprednisolone versus placebo. Study drug/placebo will be administered 8 to 12 hours before the anticipated start time of surgery and in the operating room at the time of initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients will be followed for primary and secondary outcomes for the duration of their hospitalization. Serious study drug-related adverse events will be collected for 7 days after the last dose of study drug.