OBESITY/INSULIN RESISTANCE, VITAMIN C AND ENDOTHELIN-1

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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. With an increase in body fatness the ability of arteries to "vasodilate"(or increase in size) is reduced which may contribute to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases associated with being overweight or obese. One of the potential mechanisms that may contribute to this reduced vasodilator capacity is an increased tendency towards vasoconstriction (decrease in size and/or resistance to vasodilation), mediated by a substance called endothelin-1. Elevations in ET-1 production and activity has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. An additional aim of this study is to compare the effects of vitamin C supplementation, a safe and inexpensive treatment, and regular aerobic exercise in reducing the tendency of arteries to vasoconstrict.