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.
Male or Female, age 18-79
Obese: BMI > 30 m/kg2
Hypertensive: blood pressure >130/80
Elevated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 2.5)
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