Active clinical trials for "Inflammation"

The study is a 'pilot study' to assess the effect of a mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention on patients with autoimmune liver disease specifically autoimmune hepatitis type I. MBSR is a standardized intervention that has shown benefit in addiction disorders and other psychiatric disorders. There has been no study evaluating or showing the benefit of the use of MBSR in autoimmune liver disease. With published data showing the evidence of an association of stress and relapse in autoimmune hepatitis, it is hypothesized that such an intervention such as MBSR may have therapeutic effect in patients with autoimmune liver disease.

The purpose of this double blind study is to prove whether a fluoride containing toothpaste is able to reduce dental plaque and gingival inflammation in patients who have gingivitis when applied twice daily during brushing at home over a period of 12 weeks.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In previous experimental studies, the investigators found that low-level vagus nerve (VN) stimulation (LLVNS), at voltages substantially below that which slowed the sinus rate, significantly suppressed AF inducibility and decreased AF duration. The investigators subsequently developed a non-invasive neuromodulatory therapy, in which LLVNS was delivered to the auricular branch of the VN located at the tragus, the anterior protuberance of the outer canine ear (low level tragus stimulation; LLTS). The anti-arrhythmic effects of LLTS were similar to those of LLVNS delivered to the cervical VN trunk. More recently, in a proof-of-concept study in humans, the investigators showed that in patients with drug-refractory AF undergoing AF ablation, LLTS for just one hour significantly shortened the AF duration and decreased inflammatory cytokines. The overall objective of this proposal is to translate in ambulatory patients with paroxysmal AF the results of previous studies showing acute suppression of AF and inflammation in anesthetized canines as well as humans, in order to examine the long-term therapeutic effects of this approach. The investigators hypothesize that intermittent (1 hour daily) LLTS for 6 months may result in long-term decrease of AF burden and suppression inflammatory cytokines in patients with paroxysmal AF. Patients will be randomized to either active or sham LLTS. LLTS will be delivered through a transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) device for 1 hour daily over a 6-month period. AF burden will be defined as the percent of time spent in AF over a 2-week period, assessed by noninvasive continuous ECG monitoring at baseline and at 6 months. In addition, blood samples will be collected from patients at baseline, and at 3 and 6 months, for cytokine measurement. These investigations will establish the first evidence of the long-term effects of LLTS on AF suppression in patients with paroxysmal AF and may provide the basis for a potential expansion of the therapeutic targets of this treatment modality beyond AF.

To compare the relative effectiveness of the Imprimis Dropless™ (TriMoxiVanc) intraocular solution with the Less Drops™ topical formulation of PredMoxiKeterolac (given for the first week post op) followed by PredKeterolac (given for weeks 2 to 4 after surgery). The hypothesis is that the "dropless" regimen will be non-inferior to the "less drops" regimen in terms of post-operative IOP changes, post-operative healing, and visual quality.

Elderberries (Sambuci fructus) have been shown in a number of studies to have significant anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Multiple human and animal studies have supported the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of elderberry preparations and it has been used in natural medicine for hundreds of years. Studies examining factors that may decrease the risk of Alzheimer's disease have revealed that drinking juices with similar properties to elderberries is one of the most reliable way to decrease risk. As such the investigators wish to determine the effects of elderberry juice on cognitive decline in a group of subjects at high risk for Alzheimer's disease, those with mild cognitive impairment. Elderberry juice is a commercially available nutritional supplement and easily available to this population.

The investigators' project will study the effects of optimizing the vit D status of obese adolescents on markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation.

Recent evidences showed beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Regular Omega-3 fatty acid consumption reduces cardiovascular mortality, ischemic heart disease and stroke mortality. There is probably no single mechanism of action that explains this beneficial effect; but possible mechanisms include reduce susceptibility of the heart to ventricular arrhythmia, antithrombogenic effect, reduce triglyceride level, promotion of nitric oxide-induced endothelial relaxation, and retard growth of atherosclerotic plaque. The combination of satins and omega3 was proved to be better the any of the drugs alone in several studies. The purpose of the study is to investigate several possible mechanisms that may explain the add on beneficial effect of omega-3 in hypercholesterolemic patients already treated with satins.

The primary goal of this study is to determine the acute effects of exenatide on postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. Secondary goals are to determine whether there are additional improvements in postprandial lipids and lipoproteins and whether (by the reduction of hyperglycemia alone or in combination with declines in hyperlipidemia) exenatide reduces the pro-inflammatory potential of the postprandial period.

The purpose of this study is to compare the anti-inflammatory efficacy of a dentifrice

In HIV patients, statin therapy will attenuate plaque inflammation, thus, making plaques less vulnerable, will deter plaque progression, and improve endothelial function. In addition to known cholesterol-lowering and C-reactive protein lowering effects, immunomodulatory effects of statins will lead to a shift from pro-inflammatory monocyte and T cell subsets to less atherogenic subpopulations.