Inflammation Clinical Trials

This study applies a hypothesis-driven approach to examine the effects of chronic marijuana use on HIV-associated inflammation and its subsequent impacts on central nervous system function, with the goal of identifying the mechanisms through which cannabinoids modulate neurological disorders and other comorbidities in persons with HIV. Read Less

This study will investigate the response of immune cells (neutrophils, monocytes) to various signals in the test tube to determine how they sense the signals in the body and what substances they produce in response to them. It will determine how the cells may, under certain circumstances, contribute to inflammation, and will measure substances in the blood plasma (the liquid, non-cellular part of the blood) that might stimulate white blood cells, in order to understand how the blood responds to possible disease-related conditions. Healthy normal volunteers 18 years of age and older who weigh at least 110 pounds may be eligible for this study. Participants give about 320 milliliters (mL) of blood (about 1 1/3 cups) or less at each donation. They donate no more than once every 8 weeks and no more than six times a year. On some occasions, less than 320 mL of blood may be drawn. The collected blood is separated into its components and specific cells are exposed to substances to examine their response. Read Less

This protocol is being established to cover the evaluation of patients with inflammatory and/or infectious diseases which are not covered under previously existing protocols. The purpose of such a protocol is that frequently patients are referred to us with either diagnosed or undiagnosed illnesses which would be of interest to our teaching program or which would serve as a source of patients to subsequently be entered into established, ongoing protocol studies. Such patients will be admitted to the protocol and handled according to accepted medical practice of diagnosis and treatment. Read Less

This project will evaluate the impact of L-Citrulline, tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), and atorvastatin administration on physical capacity and vascular function in Veterans with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) can influence cognition and biomarkers in healthy, cognitively intact women who identify as Latina and are between the ages of 40-80. The main questions it aims to answer are: Will executive function change in response to NAD+? Will inflammatory markers and serum indicators of neurodegeneration change in response to NAD+? Researchers will compare individuals receiving the NAD+ to see if the results differ from those receiving the placebo. Participants will: Complete an online questionnaire, Visit the lab for computerized cognitive testing and a blood draw, Take NAD+ or a placebo every day for 4 weeks, Visit the lab for computerized cognitive testing and a blood draw Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effect of 12 weeks of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango on glucose control, insulin resistance, lipids, inflammation, oxidation and body composition in individuals with prediabetes. The main questions it aims to answer are: * What is the effect of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango over 12 weeks on indicators of glycemic control including fasting glucose and HgbA1c? * What is the effect of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango over 12 weeks on fasting blood insulin and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)? * What is the effect of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango over 12 weeks on lipids including LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides? * What is the effect of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango over 12 weeks on oxidative stress including oxidized LDL-cholesterol and 8-iso-PGF2-alpha? * What is the effect of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango over 12 weeks on markers of inflammation including c-reactive protein, e-selectin, ICAM, VCAM, TNF-alpha and IL-beta? * What is the effect of 1.5 cups per day of fresh mango over 12 weeks on percent body fat, fat mass, and lean mass? Participants will be asked to: * Consume 1.5 cups of mango per day for 12 weeks, take a 4 to 8 week break, and then avoid consuming mangos for 12 weeks * Attend a prerandomization clinic prior to study * Attend three (3) clinics where blood will be drawn during weeks 0, and 12 of the first phase and last week of the second phase of the study * Attend eight (8) clinics where anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body composition) will be conducted and interaction with study clinicians will occur during weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 of each phase of the study * Complete questionnaires and surveys in person and remotely, including six (6) 24-hour dietary recalls. Researchers will compare the 12 weeks participants consume mango to the 12 weeks the participants are not consuming mango to see if there are differences in glycemic indicators, insulin resistance, lipids, inflammation, oxidation and body composition between the two time periods. Read Less

This study examines the impact of Auxilio Brasil (AB), a cash transfer program to mothers of school-age children, on resource-deprived populations in Brazil and its protective effects on child neurodevelopment and mental health. The investigators will conduct a randomized clinical trial (RCT) among those already receiving AB in which 300 families will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either a high ($40/month) or low ($2/month) supplemental transfer for 2 years. Three hundred children (index child participants; 7-10 years old) will be enrolled across both study arms. Additionally, up to 150 siblings ("sibling participants;" 7-10 years old) will be enrolled. Eligible families who decide to participate will sign a study-specific informed consent (mother) and assent (child) form. The UNIFESP team will conduct the respective assessments at baseline, approximately 8- and 16- months, 24-months and approximately 6-months post-RCT. Aim 1: Determine the impact of high vs low cash transfers on children's exposure to adversities (ACEs) and neurodevelopment. Aim 2: Determine the impact of cash transfers on children's inflammatory markers and HPA activity/cortisol. Exploratory Aim: The investigators will explore (i) whether sex/gender of the children moderates the pathways in the above mediation model; and (ii) whether cash transfer-related effects persist 6 months post-RCT. Read Less

Background: Environmental exposures like pollution, diet, and stress can help cause human diseases, or make them worse. Researchers want to better understand how injury and inflammation are caused by these exposures. They want to collect biological and environmental samples and other data. They may use the samples to measure a range of factors, like hormones, toxins, and chemicals. This will help them improve their studies. Objective: To identify and understand how environmental exposures contribute to human disease. Eligibility: Healthy adults ages 18 and older Design: Participants will be screened with questions about their health history, demographics, and medicines they take. Participants may give blood, hair, stool, saliva, and/or urine samples. They may have a skin punch biopsy to collect skin cells. They may give fingernail or toenail clippings. They may give a sample of exhaled breath. Participants may give a sputum sample. They will inhale a saline mist and cough mucus into a cup. Participants may have their nasal passages brushed, scraped, or washed. Participants may give cheek cell samples. They will swish mouthwash and spit it into a cup. Participants who produce sperm may give samples. Participants may have bronchoscopy to collect fluid. A saline solution will be put into their lung and then suctioned out, washing areas of the lung. Participants may have a pelvic or transvaginal ultrasound. They may have lung function tests. Participants may collect household dust, urine, or stool at home. Participants will complete surveys about their health, diet, and exposures. Participation will last for one or more study visits. Participants may be contacted in the future to take part in other studies. Read Less

The LION Study is a prospective, single-center phase 1 clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and distribution of Laquinimod administered as topical eye drops for two weeks in human participants. Read Less

This study is a mechanistic randomized controlled trial that investigates whether inhibition of tumor necrosis factor signaling via intravenous infusion of infliximab improves psychomotor speed and executive functioning in depressed individuals who exhibit an inflammatory phenotype. Read Less

This project aims to adapt, implement, and evaluate a Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills training group intervention for aging adult family caregivers of person with Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) to reduce suicidality. By adapting this modality, the investigators will provide a scalable intervention tailored for this high-risk population, maximizing the public health impact and improving suicide prevention. Read Less

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the effects of inflammation-lowering therapy on mobility and disability in older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Will therapy improve walking speed/pace? * Will therapy improve levels of blood inflammation markers and other indicators of physical, cognitive and immune function? Participants will be asked to receive injections of drug or placebo every 4 weeks for 24 weeks. They will also be asked to undergo testing that assesses physical function, thinking ability and brain health, breathing capacity, and blood vessel stiffness, and will have blood samples collected to measure immune function and to create a bank of samples for future testing. Comparisons will be made between those who receive drug and those who receive placebo. Read Less