Impact of Nrf2 Activation on Macrovascular, Microvascular & Leg Function & Walking Capacity in Peripheral Artery Disease

Summary

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with elevated oxidative stress, and oxidative stress has been implicated as the cause of reduced endothelial reactivity in individuals with PAD. Endothelial function is important because the endothelium contributes to the dilation of arteries during exercise, thereby implicating impaired endothelial function as a mechanism contributing to exacerbated exercise-induced ischemia. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that acute exogenous diroximel fumarate (Vumerity) intake will improve antioxidant capacity, thereby reducing oxidative stress and improving vascular function and walking capacity in those with PAD. During this study, participants will be administered diroximel fumarate or a placebo, and the acute effects of diroximel fumarate on vascular function and walking capacity will be assessed. Vascular function and walking capacity will be assessed with flow-mediated dilation, arterial stiffness, head-up tilt test, blood biomarkers, near-infrared spectroscopy, and a treadmill test. There will be a follow-up visit to assess blood work after diroximel fumarate.

Timeline

Start

2024-11-14

Primary completion

2026-12

Completion

2026-12

Publications

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• Background Pekas EJ, Wooden TK, Yadav SK, Park SY. Body mass-normalized moderate dose of dietary nitrate intake improves endothelial function and walking capacity in patients with peripheral artery disease. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2021 Aug 1;321(2):R162-R173. doi: 10.1152/ajpregu.00121.2021. Epub 2021 Jun 23.
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• Background Jonasson E, Sejbaek T. Diroximel fumarate in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Neurodegener Dis Manag. 2020 Oct;10(5):267-276. doi: 10.2217/nmt-2020-0025. Epub 2020 Jul 20.
• Background Naismith RT, Wolinsky JS, Wundes A, LaGanke C, Arnold DL, Obradovic D, Freedman MS, Gudesblatt M, Ziemssen T, Kandinov B, Bidollari I, Lopez-Bresnahan M, Nangia N, Rezendes D, Yang L, Chen H, Liu S, Hanna J, Miller C, Leigh-Pemberton R. Diroximel fumarate (DRF) in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: Interim safety and efficacy results from the phase 3 EVOLVE-MS-1 study. Mult Scler. 2020 Nov;26(13):1729-1739. doi: 10.1177/1352458519881761. Epub 2019 Nov 4.

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