Active clinical trials for "Inflammation"

A database analysis and review of histological slides (retrospective) and a patient questionnaire analysis (prospective) will be conducted in Bern (Switzerland) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of esophageal dilation and its effect on the underlying eosinophilic inflammation in patients with Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This trial is investigator driven.

The purpose of this research is to study the level of acid exposure above the gastroesophageal junction and the distal esophagus in patients with reflux symptoms using a capsule type acid measurement system. Patients with reflux symptoms are likely to have more acid reflux just above the junction of the stomach and the esophagus that may help to improve the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This may help better treat the reflux symptoms.

The study is a prospective cohort trial utilizing sequential laboratory results from excess serum obtained from hemodialysis patients (acting as their own controls). The objective of this study is to determine the impact of converting from reuse to single use of dialyzers on specific markers of nutrition (pre-albumin) and inflammation (CRP) in hemodialysis patients followed over a period of 6-months after conversion. The Hypothesis is: Comparing values obtained at baseline to values at the end of 6-months after conversion from reuse to single use in the same patients: In patients with baseline CRP > 5 mg/L: Mean decrease of 5 mg/L In patients with baseline CRP < 5 mg/L: > 95% will remain < 5 mg/L Mean serum pre-albumin levels will increase by at least 3 mg/dL. The study population will be drawn from ~2,900 patients that are currently undergoing hemodialysis in 48 dialysis units that have been identified as continuing to reuse dialyzers and specifically are using a peracetic acid-based disinfectant (Renalin®), as of February 1, 2007. These facilities will be scheduled to convert to single use of dialyzers between May and December, 2007. The selection of patients will depend solely on the facility conversion date, on a first-come, first-served basis. All patients within the dialysis facility that provide blood specimen for their routine monthly lab draws will be eligible. The facilities and patients will be enrolled consecutively until the desired sample size of approximately 2,500 patients is reached

To investigate whether weight reduction by life style modification for 12 weeks will improve circulating inflammatory markers, adipocytokines as well as gene expression of proinflammatory protein obtained from circulating monocytes from obese individuals.

African Americans have a higher prevalence of vascular disease than Caucasians. Vascular disease can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even amputations. Insulin, a hormone which is secreted by the pancreas, affects not only glucose and fat metabolism but also vascular disease. Impairment of insulin s ability to remove glucose from the circulation is known as insulin resistance. To overcome insulin resistance the pancreas secretes extra insulin. These high levels of insulin affect circulating triglyceride levels by both promoting production of triglyceride by the liver and interfering with clearance of triglyceride from the circulation. Triglyceride in turn contributes to the development of vascular disease by causing both inflammation and hypercoagulability. Surprisingly African Americans are more insulin resistant and have a higher rate of vascular disease than Caucasians but have lower triglyceride levels. Because of the high rate of vascular diseases in African Americans, our aim is to determine if the adverse effects of triglyceride occur at a lower level in African Americans than Caucasians. To achieve this goal we will determine if there are differences in the effect of a meal on triglyceride levels and vascular function in a representative cohort of African American and Caucasian women. For this study we will enroll 96 women (48 African American and 48 Caucasian women). We are recruiting women because ethnic differences in triglyceride are even greater in women than men. We are enrolling women between the ages of 18 and 65 years. The study will involve several outpatient visits to the NIH Clinical Center. The first visit will be a screening to determine eligibility. At the second visit a test to measure insulin resistance will be performed. This test is called a frequently sampled intravenous glucose tolerance test. The third visit will be for the test meal. Before and at 2, 4 and 6 hours after the meal, blood will be drawn and vascular function measured. Vascular function is determined by taking blood pressure and then measuring blood flow in the arm with ultrasound. It is possible that individual differences in diet could affect the results of the vascular study on the day of the test meal. Therefore for 7 days prior to the test meal, the NIH Clinical Center will provide to each participant all their meals in the form of either trays or meals in a box. These meals will be consistent with the typical American diet and be 33% fat, 15% protein and 52% carbohydrate. In designing these meals, the dietician will take into account individual food preferences. This study is being performed in collaboration with the Harvard School of Public Health, the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and Indiana University. Therefore some blood drawn during Visits 2 and 3 will be sent coded, without personal identifiers, to each institution for analyses. ...

The purpose of this study is to examine the anti inflammatory effect of high complex carbohydrate diet, supplemented by omega-3 fatty acids.

Venous thrombosis is the development of a blood clot in a vein. Post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a painful condition that can develop following a venous thrombosis in one of the deep veins of the leg. While PTS is mainly thought to occur because of damage to the vein, other factors may be responsible for the development of this condition. This study will analyze genetic and biologic samples from participants of a previous study to examine other possible causes of venous diseases and PTS.

The investigational drugs administered in this study activate proteins called PPARs. Data in the scientific literature on PPARs, as well as animal data and early clinical data generated by GSK with these drugs, suggest that activation of PPARs may cause the body to increase its use of fatty acids for energy, and lead to a reduction in body fat. There are also data to suggest a role for PPARs in regulating lipid (e.g., cholesterol) levels and inflammation. These and other activities of PPARs are being further explored in this clinical study.

Patients with kidney failure on dialysis have a much higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease as compared to the general population. Recently, two large studies have shown that increasing the amount of dialysis does not decrease cardiovascular disease. It is known that retaining too much fluid leads to high blood pressure and thickening of the heart wall. Peritoneal dialysis is a method of home dialysis which allows dialysis patients autonomy and independence. This study will measure blood levels of a protein called N-BNP and measure the extent of body fluid by a machine called a bioimpedance analyzer. This device administers an undetectible electric current which distributes throughout total body water. The relationship between these tests and the clinical presence of volume expansion will be assessed. In addition, the extent of total body fluid and it's impact on heart attacks, heart failure and stroke will be determined.

Metabolic syndrome and periodontitis are diseases that lower the quality of life and their incidence rates are increasing. Since both of these diseases are associated with systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, they may be comorbid. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of interleukin-20 (IL-20) on periodontal destruction in individuals with metabolic syndrome while considering the relationship between metabolic syndrome and periodontitis. This study included a total of 80 individuals who were systemically and periodontally healthy (CG, n=20), were systemically healthy and had periodontitis (PG, n=20), had metabolic syndrome and were periodontally healthy (MG, n=20), or had both metabolic syndrome and periodontitis (MPG, n=20). Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and serum samples were collected from all participants for biochemical analyses.