Clinical Research Directory

Effects of Concurrent Training on Serum PCSK9 Levels in Adults With Overweight

Being overweight can increase the risk of heart disease. PCSK9 is a protein that helps regulate cholesterol levels in the blood. Exercise may affect PCSK9 levels, but previous studies have reported conflicting results. The purpose of this study is to determine whether a program combining aerobic exercise and resistance training changes blood PCSK9 levels in adults with overweight. The researchers will also examine changes in blood cholesterol levels and body composition. A total of 42 adults aged 18-40 years with overweight will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will participate in a supervised exercise program three days per week for eight weeks. Each session will last approximately 60 minutes and include aerobic exercise, resistance training, warm-up, and cool-down periods. The other group will continue their usual daily activities without participating in a structured exercise program provided by the study. Blood samples and body measurements will be collected before the program, after four weeks, and after eight weeks. Participants will also record their usual food intake and physical activity during the study. The researchers expect that the combined exercise program may reduce blood PCSK9 levels compared with maintaining usual daily activities. The findings may help improve understanding of how exercise affects cholesterol regulation in adults with overweight.

Study of Inborn Errors of Cholesterol Synthesis and Related Disorders

This study will investigate the cause and medical problems associated with a group of genetic disorders known as inborn errors of cholesterol synthesis, in which the body does not produce cholesterol. People with this disorder may have birth defects and learning and behavioral problems. People with an inborn error of cholesterol synthesis and related disorders, including Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, lathosterolosis, desmosterolosis, X-linked dominant chondrodysplasia, CHILD syndrome, Greenberg dysplasia, and some cases of Antley-Bixler syndrome, may be eligible for this study. People who are carriers of the disorders also may enroll. Participants and family members will provide blood and urine samples, as well as other tissue samples collected during medically indicated procedures such as biopsy or surgery. These tissues may include, for example, gallstones, cataracts, cerebrospinal fluid, amniotic fluid, lymph tissue, and DNA samples. In rare instances, a skin biopsy may be requested to aid in establishing a diagnosis. Medical information will also be gathered from medical records, photographs, and X-rays.

Investigating the Production of Lipoproteins and Acetyl-CoA During a Ketogenic Diet

The purpose of this study is to understand how the reduction in dietary carbohydrates in a very-low carbohydrate ketogenic diet impacts the synthesis of cholesterol, fatty acid, and ketones, and the turnover rate of VLDL and chylomicron particles.