Effect of Eplerenone on Postprandial Inflammatory Response in Healthy Adults

Effect of Eplerenone on Postprandial Inflammatory Response in Healthy Adults

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockade in healthy participants in a systemic proinflammatory state after a meal high in fat and glucose, which is associated with the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

Participants will include normal-weight, healthy males (Body Mass Index (BMI) ≤ 25 kg/m^2) between the ages of 18-45, without hypertension and clinical evidence of metabolic, cardiovascular or any other kind of diseases. After a 12-hour (h) fast, participants will be assigned to a combination of oral fat-loading test (OFLT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) (day 1), followed by a two-week treatment with 50 mg eplerenone. After two weeks, participants will receive the second OFLT/OGTT treatment (day 15). Starting 5 days prior to the first intervention (day1), the participant's usual diet (ad lib) will be supplemented with 2 bullion broths each day. Standardization of sodium intake is necessary as variations in dietary sodium intake may affect outcome measures. We will evaluate the following parameters at day 1 and day 15 of the study. Prior to OFLT/OGTT, and 2h, 4h thereafter, we will measure a parameter of vascular and systemic inflammation: interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Inclusion Criteria:

• male
• 18-45 years
• BMI between 20-25 kg/m^2

Exclusion Criteria:

• evidence of cardiovascular, hepatic, renal [estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 millimeter/minute (ml/min)] or any other organ system disease
• Blood pressure equal to or less than 90/60 mmHg
• prescription or herbal medications
• smoking
• alcohol consumption of more than 2 drinks per day
• dietary supplements