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Stearic Acid and Endothelial Function

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
40 Years to 70 Years
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This study tests how stearic acid, a type of fat in food, affects how well blood vessels work after a meal and after a 14-day diet. It compares diets rich in different fats in adults ages 40–70 who are overweight or have obesity.

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the postprandial and long-term effects of dietary stearic acid on vascular function in overweight or obese adult males and females aged 40-70 years. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Does consuming a high stearic acid-rich meal improve postprandial vascular function compared to a high oleic acid-rich meal? 2. Does a 14-day stearic acid-rich diet improve fasting vascular function compared to an oleic acid-rich diet? 3. Does a 14-day stearic acid-rich diet reduce the impairment of postprandial vascular function following a high palmitic-acid challenge meal? Participants will: * Complete screening questionnaires, a 3-day food log, body composition measurements, and fasting blood and urine tests. * Consume a provided, 14-day controlled diet high in palmitic acid while avoiding outside food and beverages other than water. * Be randomly assigned to consume a provided 14-day diet high in either stearic acid (cocoa butter blend) or oleic acid (plant oil blend). * Attend two 5-hour testing visits at the clinic after overnight fasting. * Undergo intravenous (IV) catheter placement for repeated blood sampling and non-invasive vascular health assessments (ultrasound artery checks and pulse measurements). * Consume assigned high-fat test meals within 15 minutes and undergo hourly vascular and blood assessments over a 4-hour period.

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Age 40–70.
  • Body mass index (BMI), a measure of weight compared to height, of 25–40.
  • Blood pressure below 130/80 while seated.
  • Willing and able to attend lab visits.

Who can't join

  • Have or have had diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, gallbladder disease, pancreas disease, cancer, heart or blood vessel disease, or a major event such as a heart attack or stroke.
  • Current or recent use of medicines for weight loss or to lower blood sugar or blood fats.
  • Body weight changed by 5% or more in the past 6 months.
  • Blood tests after fasting show LDL (“bad”) cholesterol of 190 mg/dL or higher, total cholesterol above 302 mg/dL, or triglycerides (blood fats) above 267 mg/dL.
  • Current or recent use of tobacco, nicotine, or illegal drugs.
  • Past weight-loss surgery, gallbladder removal, or removal of the uterus or ovaries.
  • Pregnant, breastfeeding, or an athlete.
  • Unwilling or unable to agree to take part or to eat the study diet.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults ages 40-70 years * BMI 25.0-40.0 kg/m2 * Seated blood pressure \<130/80 mmHg * Willing and able to attend laboratory visits Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis or history of diabetes, renal disease, liver disease, gallbladder disease, cholecystectomy, pancreatic disease, cancer, overt cardiovascular disease, or a major cardiovascular event (e.g., heart attack or stroke) * Current or recent use of weight loss medications * Significant change in bodyweight of ≥ 5% within the past 6 months * Current or recent use of glucose- or lipid-lowering drugs * Fasting LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg/dL or fasting plasma total cholesterol \> 7.8 mmol/L (302 mg/dL), or fasting plasma TAG \> 3 mmol/L (267 mg/dL) * Current or recent use of tobacco, nicotine, or illicit drugs * History of bariatric surgery * Hysterectomy or ovarian removal (females) * Pregnant or lactating * Athlete * Unwilling or unable to provide consent * Unwilling or unable to consume study diet

Study sites (1)

FL