Reducing inflammation in obese patients with hypertension
Official title: Mitigating the Pro-inflammatory Phenotype of Obesity
Run by University of Kansas Medical Center · NCT04934228 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing if a medication called clonidine can lower inflammation in obese people with high blood pressure compared to a control group.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years to 79 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Kansas Medical Center Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Kansas City, Kansas) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2021 |
| Main results expected | August 1, 2026 |
| Study ends | August 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | June 5, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT04934228 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are obese individuals aged 18-79 with hypertension and elevated insulin resistance.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with a history of heart disease, neurological disorders, or those currently using certain medications may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of sympathetic nerve activity inhibition using oral clonidine over four weeks in obese individuals with hypertension. It employs a randomized, double-blinded design to compare the impact of clonidine on inflammatory markers in blood and endothelial cells against a control group receiving hydrochlorothiazide or a placebo. The goal is to determine how much inflammation is driven by elevated sympathetic nerve activity in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to new treatments for obesity-related inflammation and improve overall health outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have gone: While there is ongoing research into sympathetic nerve activity and inflammation, this specific approach using clonidine in this patient population is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male or Female, age 18-79 * Obese: BMI \> 30 m/kg2 * Hypertensive: blood pressure \>130/80 * Elevated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR \> 2.5) * Waist circ: \>102 cm (men) and \>88 cm (women) * Fasting glucose \< 126 mg/dL * Fasting triglycerides \< 250 mg/dL * HbA1c \< 6.5% * Willing to visit research lab (Fairway CTSU) * Willing to undergo a blood draw * Able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Current use of clonidine or beta-blockers * Current smoker or History of smoking in the past 3 months. * Hyperlipidemia: Fasting triglycerides \> 250 mg/dL * Currently taking hypertension medication * History of heart disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stent, byass, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy) * History of neurological disorders * History of transplant * Actively participating in other studies, except for a registry study.
Where it's running
-
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Seth W. W Holwerda, PhD — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Seth W Holwerda, Ph,D
- Email: sholwerda@kumc.edu
- Phone: 9729223230
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
-
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty for people with obesity and MASH
This study will test whether endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty plus lifestyle changes helps adults with obesity and MASH lose weight and improve liver health compared with lifestyle changes alone.
-
Lowering insulin to reduce liver fat production
This study will try a short course of diazoxide to lower insulin and see if it reduces the liver's creation of new fat in adults with obesity, insulin resistance, and MASLD.
-
Semaglutide's effects on heart and muscle mass
This project will use MRI scans and strength tests over 12 months to see if semaglutide changes body and heart muscle in adults starting the medication.
-
Sisters of Heart: community health worker support to improve heart health in migrant farmworker women
This trial tests whether peer support and help accessing community resources from community health workers can reduce stress and improve heart health measures in Spanish- or English-speaking migrant farmworker women aged 18–45.
-
Inspire HER: a heart-health and stress-support program for Black women
This project will test whether the Inspire HER lifestyle program helps Black women with higher heart disease risk improve heart health and manage stress.
-
Diabetes Complications in People with Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes (SPeCTRuM)
This project will see how common diabetes-related complications (like eye, nerve, and blood vessel problems) are in adolescents and adults living with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.