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November 26, 2002


 



Emory Researchers Seek Participants for Study Examining Effects of Fat Intake on Blood Vessel Walls



Researchers at Emory University and the Atlanta VA Medical Center are conducting a study to determine how fat intake effects blood vessel wall elasticity and inflammation. Men over the age of 40 and women over 50 are needed.



Volunteer participants must have high cholesterol, must not be taking any cholesterol-lowering drugs for the past three months, and must have a history of heart disease or high risk for heart disease (diabetes, smoking, hypertension or peripheral vascular disease).

Participants will be given varied doses of polyunsaturated fats in the form of a shake or capsules, have their blood drawn and have a non-invasive test using blood pressure cuffs to measure blood vessel compliance, function and health.

Researchers will measure the effect that fat dosages have on vessel elasticity or compliance as well as endothelial function. They will also measure markers of inflammation in their blood to see if these areas are effected by the fat meal. Subsequently, the researchers will compare the difference in these effects caused by different doses and types of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The study requires a routine office visit, then four office visits over a four-week period, each lasting approximately four hours.

The principal investigator is Virgil Brown, M.D, Charles Howard Candler Professor, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine.

Eligible participants or individuals seeking more information about the study can contact Dr. Matthey Harris at (404) 321-6111, ext. 7234.

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