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Spinal Cord InjuriesNCT07227740

Testosterone Deficiency and Endothelial Dysfunction After Spinal Cord Injury

An observational study of Spinal Cord Injuries and Endothelial Dysfunction, run by Craig Hospital 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

Heart attacks and strokes are among the most common causes of premature death in individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and appear to occur earlier in life. The factors that lead to the heighten and accelerated risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults living with SCI remain poorly understood. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 89 years, men only
What is being tested?
Intra-arterial Infusion of Vasoactive Agents, Intra-arterial Vitamin C Infusion and Blood Sampling
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
How many people
48 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
15 Jul 2025to 14 Jul 2028
Phase
Observational
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 89 years
  • Men only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: Only male participants of all races and ethnic backgrounds aged 18-89 with a history of motor complete (AIS A/B) paraplegia (NLI T3 or Below). Time since injury <6 months at time of enrollment and diagnosed with normal and low T (Testosterone Deficiency defined as < 300ng/dL)

Who may be able to join

  • Between ages 18-89 years of age
  • Male Sex
  • History of motor complete (AIS A/B) paraplegia (NLI T3 or Below)
  • Time since injury <6 months at time of enrollment (Subacute injury)
  • Testosterone Deficiency defined as < 300ng/dL

Who cannot join

  • Overt cardiovascular disease assessed by a) medical history, b) physical examination c) electrocardiogram
  • Anaphylaxis to betadine, lidocaine, iodine
  • Active infection at time of enrollment.
  • Recent surgery (<1 month) at time of enrollment.
  • History smoking tobacco (currently or in the past 12 months)
  • History of more than low-risk history of alcohol consumption
Show all 9Show fewer
  • History of drug abuse
  • History of use of cardiovascular-acting (i.e. statins, beta-blockers) therapeutics
  • History of other health habits, medications, and supplements that could influence the outcome measures deemed by principal investigators and investigative team.

Trial locations and contacts

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

Genevieve Madera, BS contact

17203454640

Gmadera@craighospital.org

United States1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Craig Hospital

    Englewood, Colorado, 80113

    Genevieve Madera, BS, 7203454640, Gmadera@craighospital.org

    Andrew Park, MD, 303-789-8101, apark@craighospital.org

    Recruiting

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Testosterone Deficiency and Endothelial Dysfunction in Spinal Cord Injury Related Cardiovascular Disease Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Prospects

Heart attacks and strokes are among the most common causes of premature death in individuals living with spinal cord injury (SCI) and appear to occur earlier in life. The factors that lead to the heighten and accelerated risk of heart attacks and strokes in adults living with SCI remain poorly understood. The investigators aim to uncover why this happens and find ways to prevent it. Our research focuses on how important cells which line blood vessels, called endothelial cells, function after SCI. The investigators test endothelial function in live conscious people with SCI. The investigators also study signaling molecules endothelial cells release called endothelial cell derived microvesicles (EMVs), which the investigators can measure in blood to tell us the health of endothelial cells. By using these rigorous tests of vascular function, the investigators have determined that endothelial cells appear dysfunctional after SCI. The investigators also know that many men with SCI have low testosterone levels. Our team has studied testosterone's effects on endothelial dysfunction and believe low testosterone may be contributing to endothelial dysfunction after SCI. By understanding these mechanisms, the investigators hope to improve the lives of those living with SCI and reduce their risk for heart attacks and strokes. The investigators propose to study the influence of testosterone on endothelial function by using state-of-the-art clinical and laboratory experiments to assess endothelial function in men with SCI with low and normal testosterone levels.

Read the detailed description

The vascular endothelium plays a central role in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and may contribute to the increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke following spinal cord injury (SCI). Endothelial dysfunction is characterized by impaired vasodilator function and reduced fibrinolytic capacity.

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation is primarily mediated by nitric oxide (NO), which induces rapid relaxation of vascular smooth muscle. Fibrinolysis is the breakdown of thrombi within blood vessels, and is facilitated by endothelial cells through the synthesis and release of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA). Importantly, endothelial dysfunction often precedes detectable atherosclerosis and predicts future major vascular events.

Low testosterone (T) is a common secondary complication that occurs early after SCI, with hypogonadism being four times more prevalent in men with SCI. Testosterone has known antioxidant properties and its deficiency may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. Testosterone deficiency may represent a modifiable risk factor for vascular impairment after SCI.

This cross-sectional study will include 48 adults with subacute (<6 months), motor-complete (AIS A/B) paraplegia (neurological level T3 or below). 24 with testosterone deficiency and 24 with normal T levels. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation and t-PA capacity will be assessed via intra-arterial infusion of vasoactive drugs, with total forearm blood flow measured using venous occlusion plethysmography.

Being tested
Intra-arterial Infusion of Vasoactive Agents, Intra-arterial Vitamin C Infusion, Blood Sampling
Keywords
spinal cord injury, endothelial dysfunction, testosterone deficiency, extracellular vesicles, microvesicles, vasodilation, fibrinolysis
Medical subject headings
Spinal Cord Injuries, Aneurysm

What participants receive

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

  • Intra-arterial Infusion of Vasoactive AgentsDiagnostic test

    A catheter is placed in the brachial artery of the non-dominant arm, and small doses of vasoactive drugs acetylcholine, isoproterenol, sodium nitroprusside are infused. Forearm blood flow will be measured using venous occlusion plethysmography. The purpose of this procedure is to assess endothelium-dependent and independent vasodilation by stimulating different vascular pathways. The acetylcholine infusion is to test muscarinic receptor, nitro oxide dependent, endothelium-dependent vasodilation. Isoproterenol was selected to stimulate tissue plasminogen activator based on its specificity and effectiveness at eliciting local and rapid tissue plasminogen activator release in adult humans. Sodium nitroprusside infusion is to assess endothelium-independent vasodilation.

  • Intra-arterial Vitamin C InfusionDiagnostic test

    Vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, will be infused into the forearm and forearm blood flow will be re-evaluated to determine whether oxidative stress contributes to endothelial dysfunction.

  • Blood SamplingDiagnostic test

    Blood will be sampled from the antecubital vein (~50 mL) for biomarker analysis. This is to assess circulating biochemical and molecular indicators of vascular health and inflammation including levels of endothelial cell derived microvesicles.

Study groups in NCT07227740
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Adult Male with Subacute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury with Normal Testosterone24 male participants of all races and ethnic backgrounds aged 18-89 years with a history of spinal cord injury and diagnosed with normal testosterone
Receives: Diagnostic Test: Intra-arterial Infusion of Vasoactive Agents; Diagnostic Test: Intra-arterial Vitamin C Infusion; Diagnostic Test: Blood Sampling
Adult Male with Subacute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury with Low Testosterone24 male participants of all races and ethnic backgrounds aged 18-89 years with a history of spinal cord injury and diagnosed with low testosterone
Receives: Diagnostic Test: Intra-arterial Infusion of Vasoactive Agents; Diagnostic Test: Intra-arterial Vitamin C Infusion; Diagnostic Test: Blood Sampling

What is being measured

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

  1. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation

    Total forearm blood flow with be measured by strain gauge venous plethysmography under baseline conditions and under pharmacological manipulation with acetylcholine at increasing concentrations (8, 16, 32ug/ml).

    Measured: Measured at baseline (without acetylcholine) and immediately after each acetylcholine dose for 3-5 minutes.

  2. Endothelium-independent vasodilation

    Total forearm blood flow with be measured by strain gauge venous plethysmography under baseline conditions and under pharmacological manipulation with sodium nitroprusside at increasing concentrations (1, 2, 4ug/ml).

    Measured: Measured at baseline (without sodium nitroprusside) and immediately after each sodium nitroprusside dose for 3-5 minutes.

  3. Tissue plasminogen activator release

    Net endothelial release or uptake of t-PA and PAI-1 (both antigen and activity levels) at each dose of isoproterenol and sodium nitroprusside will be calculated as the product of the arteriovenous concentration gradient and the infused forearm plasma flow. Arteriovenous concentration gradients for both t-PA and PAI-1 antigen and activity for each subject (at each time point) will be determined by subtraction of the values measured in simultaneously collected venous and arterial blood samples

    Measured: Measured at baseline and immediately after each isoproterenol and sodium nitroprusside dose for 3-5 minutes.

  4. Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles concentration

    Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles will be collected from venous blood samples and counted used flow cytometry to determine a circulating concentration.

    Measured: Baseline

  5. Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles effects of human coronary artery endothelial cells nitric oxide bioavailability.

    Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles will be sorted and collected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) flow cytometry. The endothelial cell-derived microvesicles will be co-cultured with human coronary artery endothelial cells. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase and phosphorylation sites of interest will be measured by intracellular protein expression quantification of whole cell lysates by capillary electrophoresis immunoassays. Nitric oxide production will be assessed by total nitric oxide and nitrate/nitrite parameter assays

    Measured: Baseline

  6. Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles effects of human coronary artery endothelial cells reactive oxygen species and antioxidant capacity

    Endothelial cell-derived microvesicles will be sorted and collected by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) flow cytometry. The endothelial cell-derived microvesicles will be co-cultured with human coronary artery endothelial cells. Super oxide dismutase and catalase expression will be measured by intracellular protein expression quantification of whole cell lysates by capillary electrophoresis immunoassays. Intracellular oxidative stress will be assessed by ROS-Glo H2O2 assay.

    Measured: Baseline

Timeline

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

  1. First posted13 Nov 2025
  2. Study start15 Jul 2025
  3. Primary completion14 Jul 2028 (estimated)
  4. Study completion14 Jul 2028 (estimated)

Resources

More details

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

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
48 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07227740
Sponsor's protocol ID
2301643
Other IDs
CDMRP-SC240119
Status last verified
Nov 2025
First submitted
11 Nov 2025
Last updated
21 Nov 2025
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: Data sharing will be facilitated through active participation in Open Data Commons for SCI (ODC-SCI). ODC-SCI is a cloud-based community-governed repository to store, share, and publish research data on Spinal Cord Injury and is compliant with requirements for FAIR and trustworthy repositories established by NIH.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Spinal Cord Injuries and Endothelial Dysfunction, run by Craig Hospital 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 5 inclusion and 9 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 21 Nov 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. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

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 Genevieve Madera, BS (17203454640, Gmadera@craighospital.org), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Endothelium-dependent vasodilation (time frame: Measured at baseline (without acetylcholine) and immediately after each acetylcholine dose for 3-5 minutes.). The study lists 6 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 21 Nov 2025.

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Clinical Trial NCT07227740 | AzTrials