CVRISK

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. Heart Risk in Older Adults with Diabetes Study (HeartROADS) is a NIH funded study that is part of the Program Project (PO1-AG021654-01) "Nutrient Excess and the Metabolic Syndrome of Aging". The purpose of this study is two-fold: First, to explore the mechanisms by which transient and mild postprandial hyperglycemia, characteristic of the elderly, may induce biological processes that promote atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Vascular risk markers (CRP, cytokines, etc.) and endothelial function are measured during a standard meal test. The second aim of the study is to test if reduction of postprandial hyperglycemia may modulate these risk markers and potentially reduce cardiovascular risk. Eighty research subjects (40 with postprandial hyperglycemia and 40 normal controls) age 65 and above, will be recruited over the 5 years of the study. Planning for this study has been on-going since 2001, with conduct of a pilot study in summer, 2002. In the past year, NIH funding was obtained and full recruitment efforts have been initiated. Over 250 volunteers have been screened for eligibility and 38 oral glucose tolerance tests and 4 standard meal tests have been completed. As required by the NIH, an independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board was convened and approved the study protocol. A number of protocol modifications have been incorporated, including changes to the standard meal test, change in inclusion/exclusion criteria and addition of a measure of physical conditioning (6 minute walk test) for a subset of participants. The study principal investigator made a presentation on hyperglycemia and cardiovascular risk in the elderly at the Gerontological Society of America annual meeting in November, 2003.