Modulation of Cerebral Blood Flow Using Quercetin, a Nutritional Supplement

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of this study is to find out if quercetin can increase blood levels of hypoxia-inducible transcription factor 1 (HIF-1 protein) and to see if there is a corresponding increase in blood flow to the brain.

Official Title
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Hypoxia-inducible Transcription Factor 1 (HIF-1) in Vascular Aging

Conditions
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Stroke, Problem of Aging

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: quercetin/placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: healthy volunteers between the ages of 18-75 years old Exclusion Criteria: subjects taking vasoactive medications hypertension or vascular disease asthma smokers pregnant women cancer diabetes mellitus history of seizures history of stroke or head trauma subjects taking digoxin, cyclosporine,felodipine, estradiol, or quinolone antibiotics poor transcranial Doppler insonation windows

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 75 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Triple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: healthy young<br> | Dietary Supplement: quercetin/placebo<br>* Quercetin 500mg once per day versus placebo<br>|
| Experimental: healthy old<br> | Dietary Supplement: quercetin/placebo<br>* Quercetin 500mg once per day versus placebo<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Define change from baseline levels of HIF-1 concentration and 3 of its regulated proteins after 6 months of quercetin (versus placebo) dietary intake. | Baseline and 6 month blood samples will be analyzed for levels of HIF-1, VEGF, EPO, and NOS | 6 months | 
| Determine change from baseline brain blood flow after 6 months of quercetin (versus placebo) dietary intake. | Determine cerebral vasomotor reactivity response to 6 months of quercetin intake by measuring changes in middle cerebral artery (MCA) blood flow velocity in response to changes in end-tidal CO2, and assess neurovascular coupling by measuring changes in MCA flow velocity in response to neuropsychological tasks. | 6 months | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Define change from baseline performance in a battery of cognitive tasks after 6 months of quercetin (versus placebo) dietary intake. | Assess effects of 6 months of quercetin intake on cognitive function using a cognitive battery designed to asses both memory and executive function. | 6 months | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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quercetin, brain blood flow, memory, aging