
Plasmapheresis: a Multi-modal Approach
PlasmapheresisHaematology5 moreOnly very few studies have prospectively looked at the effect of repeated intensive plasma donation. In collaboration with the Rode Kruis Vlaanderen, we have recently found that repeated whole blood donation with a 3-month interval in between induced a drop in markers for iron status, which worsened with the number of donations. The repetition effect of the donations, whether whole blood or plasma, can be different from the effects measured after one single donation. It is therefore critical to test and document this repetitive effect to build trustable and valid guidelines concerning repetitive plasma donation.

Efficacy Study of a Novel Skin Health Product to Reduce an UVB Induced Erythema
ErythemaSun Damaged Skin1 moreThe aim of this study is to determine the erythema-reducing efficacy of a test product in two concentrations on a light sunburn induced by a sun simulator compared to an untreated control and a placebo product.

L-menthol as a Topical Counter-irritant to TRPA1-induced Neurogenic Inflammation and Pain
InflammationPruritus1 moreThe aim of this study is to quantitatively characterize the effects of L-menthol as a topical counter-irritant on cutaneous pain and hyperalgesia provoked by topical application of the TRPA1-agonist trans-cinnamaldehyde (CA) in healthy human volunteers.

Mechanism of Decreased Iron Absorption in Obesity: Controlling Adiposity-related Inflammation
ObesityThe main iron regulatory protein in the human metabolism is hepcidin. In normal weight, healthy subjects, hepcidin is regulated through the iron status of the body: low iron status results in low hepcidin concentrations, which facilitates dietary iron absorption. In obesity, which is an inflammatory state, hepcidin concentrations are increased and iron absorption is reduced despite low iron stores, leading to iron deficiency over time. Whether lowering the chronic low-grade inflammation during a limited treatment period and thereby lowering hepcidin concentration can improve iron absorption is uncertain.

Antiinflammatory Effect of Dietary Protein Intake in Elderly People
InflammationThe aim is to evaluate the effect of ingestion of a modified bovine milk protein on circulating markers of inflammation in healthy men and women aged 50-70y.The focus is healthy ageing, i.e. delaying the deterioration in health status in older adults. Loss of lean tissue mass, termed sarcopenia is a consequence of aging per se, modified by nutrition and lifestyle behaviour. Advancing the prospect of 'successful aging' a 6-month period of protein-based nutritional support has shown preservation/accrual of lean tissue. Chronic low-grade inflammation is common in ageing and is a compounding factor leading to 'anabolic blunting', i.e. a reduced sensitivity of lean tissue to enhance the synthesis of lean tissue mass in response to protein feeding. Using a simulated human gastrointestinal digestion model we have recently shown proteins to have an anti-inflammatory bioactivity in vitro. This study investigates whether the anti-inflammatory response is retained, post-digestion in vivo.

Metabolic and Immune System Responses to a Mixed Meal
InflammationOverweight and obesity are major problems and their complications such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus pose great burdens on healthcare systems. There is accumulating evidence to support obesity being a chronic inflammatory disorder mediated in part by the expansion of adipose (fat) tissue. Knowledge of the role of adipose tissue itself has changed dramatically and it has emerged that in addition to storing energy as fats; adipose tissue secretes and responds to various chemical messengers in the body that are related to metabolism and inflammation. After a meal has been consumed, changes in metabolic (and some inflammatory) markers are seen in the blood, which may be influenced by metabolic and inflammatory changes occuring in the adipose tissue itself. The investigators therefore plan to investigate these changes in adipose tissue before and after a meal and compare them to changes occurring in the blood. They also plan to investigate whether these responses are different in people who are overweight compared to 'normal' weight. Participants will include males aged between 35-55 years who fit the criteria for inclusion. After taking some preliminary measurements and monitoring of normal daily activities, participants will attend one day of Laboratory testing in the Physiology Laboratories at the University of Bath. By investigating differences in metabolism and inflammation in adipose tissue and the circulation it is hoped that more will be learnt about the development of diseases associated with being overweight and ultimately help to develop more effective methods for prevention and treatment.

Inflammation and Thrombosis in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve...
Aortic StenosisInflammation1 moreThe central hypothesis of this study is that TAVR leads to platelet deposition and inflammatory cell activation that can be attenuated by the potent anti-platelet and/or pleiotropic effects of ticagrelor. This single center, prospective randomized trial addresses the following specific aims: To determine whether high-potency ADP receptor blockade reduces measures of platelet activation in patients after TAVR. To determine whether high-potency ADP receptor blockade mitigates the pro-thrombotic inflammatory response observed after TAVR.

Ergogenic and Antioxidant Effects of Corinthian Currant
Athletic PerformanceOxidative Stress1 moreThe purpose of the present study is to investigate the effect of pre-exercise supplementation of Corinthian currant on metabolism, performance and blood redox status during, and after an acute bout of prolonged exercise. Methods: Eleven healthy male adults (18 - 45y) performed an acute bout of prolonged cycling in a crossover fashion. Each bout consisted of a 90 min constant-intensity (70 - 75% VO2max) submaximal glycogen depletion trial, followed by a time trial (TT) to exhaustion (95% VO2max), with a wash out period of 2 weeks between bouts. During each experimental condition and 30 min prior to exercise, participants consumed an isocaloric (1.5 g CHO/kg body mass) amount of randomly assigned Corinthian currants, glucose drink, or water. Blood was drawn at baseline, 30 min after the supplement consumption (pre-exercise) and at 30, 60, 90 min of submaximal trial, after TT, and 1 h after the end of exercise (post TT), for the assessment of metabolic changes and redox status alterations.

Does Propranolol Attenuate Inflammatory Responses to a Psychological Stressor?
StressPsychological3 moreThis randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of propranolol will shed important light on how sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activation influences psychological and inflammatory responses to acute stress. Results from this study will inform both the basic science literature that is attempting to map the physiological mechanisms by which psychological stress may lead to poor mental and physical health, and may also ultimately have therapeutic relevance for individuals who are experiencing high levels of stress that is putting their health at risk. Utilizing a psychopharmacological approach allows for the circumvention of many of the challenges of conducting this research in human populations, and will allow for conclusions regarding causality, given that SNS activation will be experimentally manipulated, rather than relying on correlational measures of SNS activity that are difficult to assess and are not appropriate for asking if SNS activity causes changes in psychology and biology.

Effects of Short-term Diet on HDL Composition and Function
Diet ModificationHDL1 moreThe primary objective of this study is to generate preliminary data on the effects of a short-term diet of either fast food or Mediterranean type diet on HDL and microbiota composition and function in healthy subjects, which includes both normal weight and overweight/obese subjects.