Oral Acetate Supplementation for Improving Age-Related Arterial Dysfunction
This study plans to test whether oral acetate supplementation is effective at improving artery function and stiffness in healthy adults over 50 years of age.
Why this Research Matters
We want to see if oral supplementation with the short-chain fatty acid acetate versus a placebo is effective at improving age-related arterial dysfunction. Acetate is a naturally occurring substance that is produced by bacteria that live in your gut when you eat fiber. A placebo is an inactive substance that looks the same and is given the same way as the acetate supplement. Acetate supplementation is not approved by the FDA for treatment of heart disease.
What to Expect
If you join this study, you will be asked to take an acetate supplement or placebo for 12 weeks. You will complete four study visits. During the study visits, you will complete blood draws, provide urine samples, and complete measures for blood pressure, and artery function and stiffness. We will also ask you take your blood pressure at home.
Study Duration
You will need to complete four in-person study visits (screening, baseline, study period, and end of study) over about four months. In total, the visits will take about 14 hours of your time. The study visits will take place at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus.
Who can Participate
Healthy men and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.
You may be eligible for the study if you:
- Have a body mass index <40 kg/m2.
- Are not currently trying to lose or gain a large amount of weight (your weight has not changed more than 11 pounds in the last 3 months).
You may not be eligible for the study if you:
- Have very high levels of regular aerobic exercise.
- Taking calcium supplements unless you are willing to pause.
- Have had a previous heart attack or stroke.
- Have chronic kidney disease.
- Have Alzheimer's disease or dementia.
- Have cancer within 3 years (except for some skin cancers).
- Have severe stomach or intestinal diseases.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Study ID
Protocol Number: 22-0473
More information available at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05424263
Meet the Team
Principal Investigator