Vascular Function in Obesity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Identification of cardiovascular changes in obesity using dynamic and static retinal vessel analysis
IRAS ID
179088
Contact name
Adam Greenstein
Contact email
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN15446376
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 7 months, 31 days
Research summary
In obesity, the pressure within the system of tiny blood vessels (microvasculature) contributes to the overall pressure within the circulation (blood pressure), so if these vessels become squeezed, overall blood pressure will increase (hypertension). Obesity-related hypertension eventually leads to organ damage but it is not known why obesity causes these blood vessels to change and why the hypertension that follows is resistant to many treatments. The processes by which weight gain increases blood pressure are not known and methods for measuring vessel function in humans, using laboratory simulations, is lacking.
Blood vessels within the retina (back of the eye) are part of the microvasculature and protect the small blood vessels (capillaries) in the eye from changes in blood pressure. Retinal blood vessels are unique as they can be directly measured with a special camera that is already commonly used by eye doctors (ophthalmologists). A process known as Dynamic and Static Retinal Vessel Analysis is a technique that uses this camera to see retinal blood vessels and assess vascular function. Changes in retinal vessels have already been linked with other cardiovascular disorders such as stroke, diabetes and hypertension. It is now considered that retinal vessel analysis can reliably predict body wide changes in the microvasculature and cardiovascular risk.
We hope to investigate how obesity affects cardiovascular function by measuring the functioning of the retinal microvasculature and associate any changes to measurements from the circulation including blood pressure, measures of the stiffness of the arteries (pulse wave velocity), blood sugar control and blood fat (lipid) levels.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0548
Date of REC Opinion
29 Jul 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion