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Blood PressurePhase 1MAPLENCT04934228

Mitigating the Pro-inflammatory Phenotype of Obesity

A Phase 1 study testing Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5Mg Tab and Clonidine Pill in people with Blood Pressure and Diabetes, run by University of Kansas Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6). Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 79 years
Conditions the study is for
Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Obesity
What is being tested?
Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5Mg Tab and Clonidine Pill
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
1 Jul 2021to 1 Aug 2027
Phase
Phase 1
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 79 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • Male or Female, age 18-79
  • Obese: BMI > 30 m/kg2
  • Hypertensive: blood pressure >130/80
  • Elevated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2.5)
  • Waist circ: >102 cm (men) and >88 cm (women)
  • Fasting glucose < 126 mg/dL
Show all 11Show fewer
  • Fasting triglycerides < 250 mg/dL
  • HbA1c < 6.5%
  • Willing to visit research lab (Fairway CTSU)
  • Willing to undergo a blood draw
  • Able to provide written informed consent

Who cannot join

  • Current use of clonidine or beta-blockers
  • Current smoker or History of smoking in the past 3 months.
  • Hyperlipidemia: Fasting triglycerides > 250 mg/dL
  • Currently taking hypertension medication
  • History of heart disease (e.g., myocardial infarction, stent, byass, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy)
  • History of neurological disorders
  • History of transplant
  • Actively participating in other studies, except for a registry study.

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Seth W Holwerda, Ph,D contact

9729223230

sholwerda@kumc.edu

Davina A Clonch contact

9132266009

dclonch@kumc.edu

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • University of Kansas Medical Center

    Kansas City, Kansas, 66103

    Seth W. W Holwerda, 9729223230, sholwerda@kumc.edu

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6).

Our study is a prospective study using a randomized, double-blinded design to test 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) compared with a BP-lowering control condition (diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide) or a placebo.

Read the detailed description
  1. Using a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-design approach, we hypothesize that 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in expression of inflammatory markers in blood, endothelial cells, and central adipose compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment.
  2. Determine the extent to which inflammation in the body is caused by elevated sympathetic nerve activity
Being tested
Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5Mg Tab, Clonidine Pill, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Diabetes Mellitus, Obesity, Insulin Resistance

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5Mg TabDrug

    Also called Hydrochlorothiazide

    Will receive 4 week supply (35 days) of Hydrochlorothiazide Pills (12.5 mg twice a day)

    Planned use in this study

    1. Condition/disease indication(s): Hypertension
    2. Subject population: Hypertension
    3. Dose(s): 25 mg/day
    4. Administration: Oral
    5. Dosing regimen: 12.5 mg twice per day
  • Clonidine PillDrug

    Also called Clonidine

    Will receive 4 week supply (35 days) of Clonidine Pills (0.1 mg twice/day)

    Planned use in this study

    1. Condition/disease indication(s): Vascular function and blood flow
    2. Subject population: Hypertension
    3. Dose(s): 0.1 mg (oral)
    4. Administration: Oral
    5. Dosing regimen: 0.1 mg twice daily by mouth
  • PlaceboDrug

    Will receive a 4 week supply (35 days) of Placebo Pills; has no active ingredients but is made to look like the study drug.

Study groups in NCT04934228
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorKU Investigational Pharmacy will provide the drug prescription bottle with 35-day supply of placebo to the research coordinator to give to the research participant. The placebo is an inert substance with no intended medical value and is used as a negative control for comparison with the study drug. Participants will receive a Placebo Pill; has no active ingredients but is made to look like the study drug.
Receives: Drug: Placebo
ClonidineExperimentalKU Investigational Pharmacy will provide the drug prescription bottle with 35-day supply of clonidine to the research coordinator to give to the research participant. Planned use in this study 1. Condition/disease indication(s): Vascular function and blood flow 2. Subject population: Hypertension 3. Dose(s): 0.1 mg (oral) 4. Administration: Oral 5. Dosing regimen: 0.1 mg twice daily by mouth
Receives: Drug: Clonidine Pill
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)ExperimentalKU Investigational Pharmacy will provide the drug prescription bottle with 35-day supply of Hydrochlorothiazide to the research coordinator to give to the research participant. Planned use in this study 1. Condition/disease indication(s): Hypertension 2. Subject population: Hypertension 3. Dose(s): 25 mg/day 4. Administration: Oral 5. Dosing regimen: 12.5 mg twice per day
Receives: Drug: Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5Mg Tab

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Blood Work: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Difference in inflammatory markers in blood compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    • Norepinephrine (inflammation) Blood Test: pg/mL normal range for norepinephrine is 70 to 1700 pg/mL
    • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interlukin-6 (IL6) Blood Test: pg/mL normal values: IL-6 was 6-31 pg/mL and TNF-α 5 pg/mL,
    • Nitrotyrosine (Oxidative stress)

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Endothelial Cell Sample: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Difference in endothelial cells samples compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Endothelial cell tissue will be assessed by the KU Histology Core for markers of inflammation and oxidative stress independently from the PI's lab,

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Adipose Tissue Sample: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Difference in central adipose compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Adipose tissue are expected following 4 weeks of clonidine but not HCTZ or placebo

    Measured: Baseline

  4. Blood Work: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    The difference in electrolytes blood test of participants in the Clonidine group compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment.

    • Blood Test: Electrolyte check by examining potassium concentration in blood. If potassium is 3.5 millimoles per liter or lower, oral 10 mg KCL will be prescribed to subject by a physician.

    Measured: 1 Week

  5. Blood Work: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    The difference in electrolytes blood test of participants in the Clonidine group compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment.

    • Blood Test: Electrolyte check by examining potassium concentration in blood. If potassium is 3.5 millimoles per liter or lower, oral 10 mg KCL will be prescribed to subject by a physician.

    Measured: 2 Week

  6. Blood Work: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Difference in inflammatory markers in blood, endothelial cells, and central adipose compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    • Norepinephrine (inflammation) Blood Test: pg/mL normal range for norepinephrine is 70 to 1700 pg/mL
    • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interlukin-6 (IL6) Blood Test: pg/mL normal values: IL-6 was 6-31 pg/mL and TNF-α 5 pg/mL,
    • Nitrotyrosine (Oxidative stress)

    Measured: 4 Week

  7. Endothelial Cell Sample: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Difference in endothelial cells samples compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Endothelial cell tissue will be assessed by the KU Histology Core for markers of inflammation and oxidative stress independently from the PI's lab,

    Measured: 4 Week

  8. Adipose Tissue Sample: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Difference in central adipose compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment

    Adipose tissue are expected following 4 weeks of clonidine but not HCTZ or placebo

    Measured: 4 Week

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 Jun 2021
  2. Study start1 Jul 2021
  3. Primary completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Aug 2027 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 1
Primary purpose
Other
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
Mixed Model ANOVA 3-way analysis of variance to assess pain and BP responses to the clonidine, diuretic vs. placebo.
Masking
Double blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator
Enrolment
60 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT04934228
Sponsor's protocol ID
00147099
Acronym
MAPLE
Status last verified
Jun 2025
First submitted
31 Mar 2021
Last updated
5 Jun 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
Yes
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 1 study testing Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5Mg Tab and Clonidine Pill in people with Blood Pressure and Diabetes, run by University of Kansas Medical Center at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 11 inclusion and 8 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Jun 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 1 studies test a treatment in a small group of people for the first time or in a new way, mainly to check safety and find the right dose.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Seth W Holwerda, Ph,D (9729223230, sholwerda@kumc.edu), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Blood Work: Efficacy of 4-week supply of Clonidine Compared VS 4-week supply of control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment (time frame: Baseline). The study lists 8 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Jun 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.

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