Nitric Oxide Bioavailability and Early Life Stress (NO-Stress)

Effect of Low Childhood Socioeconomic Status (SES) on Adult Endothelial Function and Nitric Oxide Bioavailability in Vivo and ex Vivo

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Other studies have shown that stress, early in life, could be a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, later in life. This study will look at the effect of early life stressors on your cardiovascular health.

This study will have two parts involved to investigate the role that childhood SES status has on cardiovascular health.

Part one: Subjects will give a blood sample which will be processed and analyzed. Flow mediated dilation (FMD) and Pulse wave velocity (PWV/PWA) will be performed at baseline and 2 hours following either a single dose oral antioxidant cocktail (1000 mg of Vitamin C, 600 IU of Vitamin E, and 600 mg of alpha-lipoic acid) or placebo on two days separated by at least 72 hours. Nitroglycerin mediated dilation (NMD, 0.4mg sub-lingual nitroglycerin spray), will be assessed at baseline.

Part two: Subjects, if interested will undergo a subcutaneous gluteal/hip fat biopsy. Micro vessels will be isolated from the adipose tissue and analyzed by pressurized myography for endothelial function and nitric oxide bioavailability.

Inclusion Criteria:

• documented childhood SES
• men and premenopausal women ages 18-40
• lean/overweight/or obese with BMI< or equal to 39kg/m2

Exclusion Criteria:

• cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, hepatic, cerebral, or metabolic,disease
• use medications that affect vascular tone
• post menopausal women
• have class 3 obesity or BMI over 40