Impact of Sex in the Effect of Dietary Capsaicin on Cardiovascular Health
- Conditions
- HypertensionPre Hypertension
- Interventions
- Dietary Supplement: Dietary capsules
- Registration Number
- NCT06363305
- Lead Sponsor
- Skidmore College
- Brief Summary
The investigators long-term goal is to better understand novel interventions to promote cardiovascular health in humans. The goal of the proposed research is to investigate whether there is sex-specificity in the effects of dietary capsaicin on mechanisms regulating nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, its effect on key markers of cardiovascular (CV) health, including BP, macro- and microvascular function, and arterial stiffness. This knowledge will provide critical insight into the effects of dietary capsaicin on CV health and will guide future trials.
- Detailed Description
Specific Aim 1: Determine the sex-specific effects of dietary capsaicin on central and peripheral blood pressure and arterial stiffness. The investigators hypothesize that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve BP and arterial stiffness, likely in a sex-dependent manner. The investigators will measure heart rate variability and excretion of capsaicin and metabolites to ascertain bioavailability, and understand the mechanistic role of the autonomic nervous system, in capsaicin's effect on BP.
Specific Aim 2: Assess whether dietary capsaicin effects on vascular function is sex-specific. The investigators hypothesize that dietary capsaicin intervention (6 week) will improve NO bioavailability, through improved redox balance and lowered asymmetric dimethylarginine, thereby improving peripheral vascular function, likely in a sex-dependent manner.
Utilizing a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, design the investigators will investigate whether there is sex-specificity in the effects of a 6-week dietary capsaicin intervention on nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability, BP, vascular function, and arterial stiffness.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- RECRUITING
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 80
- relatively healthy (other than elevated blood pressure) non-smoking men and women over the age of 18 from the local community
- Women who are without a period (not due to a birth control method, intrauterine device or menopause), are pregnant, attempting to conceive, or are breastfeeding will be excluded.
- uncontrolled hypertension
- Anyone with severe illness or compromised or suppressed immune system (e.g. taking immune suppressants, chronic viral infection or treatment).
- Any participants with excessive sensitivity to spicy foods or fiber (psyllium husk) will be excluded
- Participants with food allergies will be excluded
- Participants who have difficulty swallowing or swallowing pills may be excluded.
- Participants who suffer from heartburn, hiatal hernia, gastritis, or peptic ulcer disease may be excluded.
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Dietary Capsaicin Dietary capsules Over-the-counter dose of 2 x 440 mg capsules (880 mg, Capsicum Pepper Blend, Daily Manufacturing, Rockwell, North Carolina, USA) Placebo Dietary capsules The placebo will be 2 x 400-500 mg fiber (800 mg psyllium husk) capsules which were chosen to be of similar appearance (size, coloration, and texture).
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Passive Leg Movement Hyperemia Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-weeks The investigators will assess the hyperemic response to passive leg movement using ultrasound doppler.
Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) Vascular Occlusion Test Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-weeks The investigators will assess the metabolic capacity and vascular reactivity using ischemia-reperfusion and NIRS
Blood Pressure and Vascular Stiffness Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-weeks The investigators will assess peripheral and estimated central blood pressures and vascular stiffness using pulse wave analysis.
Flow Mediated Dilation Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-weeks The investigators will assess brachial artery flow-mediated dilation using ischemia-reperfusion and ultrasound doppler to assess the dilatory capacity and reactive hyperemia.
Heart Rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-weeks The investigators will assess HR and HRV using electrocardiogram and standard techniques to determine time and frequency domain estimates of HRV.
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Blood Lipids Baseline and 6-weeks The investigators will collect blood to determine blood lipids (cholesterol) and glucose.
Urinary Capsaicinoids Baseline, 24 hours, and 6-weeks The investigators will collect urine to determine urinary capsaicin and associated metabolites to understand bioavailability and potential relation to function.
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Skidmore College
🇺🇸Saratoga Springs, New York, United States