VITAMIN C SUPPLEMENTATION AND VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL FUNCTION IN OBESE/INSULIN

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The risks for heart attach and stroke increases dramatically with diabetes. Prior research indicates that much of the risk for heart disease and stroke associated with type 2 diabetes is generated prior to the onset of diabetes. Middle-aged and older overweight adults are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease. We now know that cells that line our blood vessels play an important role in preventing heart disease by releasing substances that help the vessel dilate (increase in size to carry more blood) and break down blood clots. In obese and diabetic individuals these cells do not function properly resulting in an impaired ability to dilate and break down blood clots increasing the risk of heart attach and stroke. Recent evidence suggests that vitamin C supplementation may be beneficial in improving the health of blood vessels. The purpose of this study is to determine whether vitamin C supplementation can improve the ability of blood vessels to dilate and release a substance that helps to break down blood clots in middle-aged and older overweight individuals at increased risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.