The Effects of Vitamin D on Cardiovascular Health in Black Women

Recruitment Info:

• Age: 18-30 years old
• Demographic: Healthy black women

Purpose of the study:

• The purpose of this study is to better understand the effect of vitamin D on 24-hour blood pressure, blood vessel function, and sleep in generally healthy 18-30-year old black women in a 2-part study design. Your participation in Part 2 is not required and depends on your vitamin D status determined during Part 1.

Why participate?

• You will be able to view your clinical blood lab results if you choose to do so. The information gained from your participation could contribute to our understanding of how vitamin D status influences various cardiovascular disease risk factors including blood pressure, blood vessel function, and sleep in black women. Findings from this study may also inform clinicians about the benefits of vitamin D supplementation in black women.

 Compensation:

• You will be compensated up to $50 for the completion of Part 1 of the study protocol and an additional $120 if you are eligible and choose to participate in Part 2 of this study.

Eligibility criteria:

• You may not be able to participate if you are unwilling or unable to give consent, are unwilling or unable to undergo a venous blood draw, have been diagnosed with any chronic disease or conditions, you are taking medication that may influence blood pressure or blood vessel function, you have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder or are at high risk for a sleep disorder, you are currently taking medications or supplements that affect sleep, you are currently working night-shift work, you have a resting blood pressure >130 or >80 mmHg, have a BMI >30 kg/m^2, you are currently pregnant, breast feeding, peri-menopausal, or post-menopausal, you currently use tobacco, you have had COVID-19 in the past 60 days, or you received a COVID-19 booster within the past 14 days.

What will be required of participants:

• For Part 1 of this study, you will be asked to make a total of 2 visits to the lab in STAR as well as undergo a 2-week sleep monitoring period, 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, and complete an overnight urine collection.
• For Part 2 of this study, if you are determined to be vitamin-D insufficient or deficient (serum vitamin D concentration between 8-29.9 ng/ml) during your screening visit and are not currently taking vitamin D supplements you may choose to enroll in an 8-week, vitamin D supplementation intervention following completion of Part 1 of the study. If eligible and interested, you will be consented for Part 2 following completion of Part 1.

Please contact WitmanResearchLab@udel.edu if you are interested in participating.

Cardiovascular Consequences of Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophinopathies

Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophinopathies (DMD/BMD) have a mutation in the dystrophin gene that, together, represent over 80% of all cases of muscular dystrophy. Historically, respiratory failure was the major cause of morbidity and mortality but recent treatment advances have changed the prognosis, with dilated cardiomyopathy and the resulting heart failure now being the leading cause of death.

Our long-term goal is to reduce the incidence and delay the progression of dilated cardiomyopathy/heart failure in children with DMD and BMD.

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of DMD and BMD on peripheral vascular function and pulsatile load on the left ventricle of the heart, and to determine if these variables can predict cardiac function.

Inclusion Criteria: Males between the ages of 7-21, specifically for the DMD/BMD group; a diagnosis of DMD or BMD by a pediatric neurologist and currently stable (for at least 3 months) in overt disease progression and medications, and typically developing children must be apparently healthy.

Exclusion Criteria: For DMD/BMD group, having undergone end-stage heart failure treatments such as left ventricular assistance device placement or heart transplantation. Typically developing children will be excluded if they have dyslipidemia, hyper- or hypothyroid, diabetes mellitus, or currently taking any long-term medications. They will also be excluded if they have a body mass index (BMI) that lies outside the “normal” range (children: 5 th to 85th percentile for their age; adults 18.5-24.9) or have systemic hypertension (children: as defined by systemic blood pressure greater than the 90 th percentile for sex, height, and age; adults: systolic > 130 mmHg, diastolic > 80 mmHg). In addition, all participants will be temporarily excluded if they have received a COVID-19 vaccination within the past 14 days or have had a positive COVID-19 diagnosis within the past 60 days.

This study is funded by the National Institutes of Health – National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH-NHLBI).

Associated Press Release
University of Delaware UDaily Feature. “Groundbreaking Muscular Dystrophy Research.” February 2022. https://www.udel.edu/udaily/2022/february/nih-grant-melissa-witman-muscular-dystrophy-cardiovascular-research/

Please contact kmanski@udel.edu if you are interested in participating in this study.

Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease in Early Mid-Life: Determining a role of chrono-behaviors (WATCH)

We are using a micro-longitudinal design to objectively examine behavioral patterns, including rest, activity, and eating behaviors, and their association with biomarkers of subclinical cardiovascular disease in early middle-aged adults (30-45 years) and young adults (18-29 years). This study is currently being conducted in collaboration with UD’s Department of Behavioral Health and Nutrition Sleep and Health Research Program. This study requires three visits to the STAR Health Sciences Complex and participants will be compensated for their time.

Inclusion Criteria: Healthy adult between the ages of 18-45, women must be pre-menopausal.

Exclusion Criteria: If you do not have regular access to a smart phone, if you participate in regular extended fasting in the morning, have been diagnosed with any chronic disease, have had a positive COVID-19 test within the past 60 days, have recieved a COVID vaccination within the past 14 days, have been diagnosed with a sleep disorder, have a resting blood pressure >140/90, have a BMI >35 kg/m^2, currently take any supplements or medications for sleep, currently take any medication that may alter vascular function, currently work night shift, are diagnosed with depression, are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, perimenopausal or post-menopausal, currently use tobacco, or if you meet criteria for suspected alcohol use disorder.

Please contact witmanresearchlab@udel.edu if you are interested in participating in this study.

Arterial Stiffness and Vascular Function in Healthy Children (ASVC)

Development of atherosclerosis is a gradual process that can begin in early childhood.  We are interested in assessing the functionality of blood vessels in a healthy pediatric population in order to better understand the role that blood vessel dysfunction plays in cardiovascular disease development and progression.

This study is currently enrolling healthy children between the ages of 7-17. This study only requires two visits to the STAR Health Sciences Complex and participants will be compensated for their time.

Inclusion Criteria: Generally healthy boys and girls between the ages of 7 and 17 years old.

Exclusion Criteria: If you are not in good overall health, have been diagnosed with any chronic diseases or conditions, have a BMI that lies outside the “normal” range, or if you are currently taking any medications which may alter blood vessel function.

Please contact WitmanResearchLab@udel.edu if you are interested in participating in this study.