Understanding how carnitine affects artery stiffness in teenagers
Official title: Causal mechanisms in adolescent arterial stiffness
Funded at Baylor College of Medicine · NIH-10675579 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how taking carnitine supplements might affect blood vessel stiffness in teenagers, which can help us understand more about heart health and blood pressure.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2019 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $400,572 |
| NIH project number | 5R01HL148217-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-10675579 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-20 who are at risk for arterial stiffness, particularly those with high triglyceride levels.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not adolescents or those without risk factors for arterial stiffness may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between carnitine levels and arterial stiffness in adolescents, which can influence blood pressure and cardiovascular health. The study will involve a randomized controlled trial where participants will receive either carnitine supplements or a placebo for six months. Researchers will measure changes in arterial stiffness, insulin resistance, and other metabolic markers to understand how carnitine may impact vascular health. The goal is to identify potential mechanisms that contribute to arterial stiffness beyond just aging and obesity.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in adolescents.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the effects of carnitine on metabolic health, but this specific approach to arterial stiffness in adolescents is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Baylor College of Medicine
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zachariah, Justin P.v. — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Zachariah, Justin P.v.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.