Effects of Yoga on Sodium-induced Pressor Responses in African American Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This investigation aims to determine the effects of a 4-week yoga intervention on sodium-induced pressor and endothelial function responses as well as markers of renal sodium handling in African American adults.

Official Title
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Effects of Yoga on Pressor and Endothelial Function in Responses to Sodium Loading in African American Adults

Conditions
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Blood Pressure

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Yoga
* Behavioral: Waitlist control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: African American Adults ages 18-60 years Exclusion Criteria: pregnancy or within 60 days postpartum having taken blood pressure (including diuretics beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers) or statin medications within the past 3 months (statins have been demonstrated to reduce oxidative stress which could impact flow-mediated dilation); infection (viral or other) within the past 4 weeks; having adrenal or endocrine tumors (these could impact BP); renal disease defined as a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of less than 60 (creatinine will be tested at initial screening and GFR will be calculated); prior myocardial infarction; vii) known coronary heart disease; personal history of stroke; heart failure; cardiac arrhythmias; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; recent chest pain or dyspnea; orthopedic limitations that preclude the execution of yoga postures; current insulin dependence; currently taking steroid medications; currently undergoing chemotherapy or radiation; having practiced yoga or yogic breathing techniques at least once weekly consistently within the past 3 months; heat intolerance or electrolyte imbalances (hypo- or hyper-natremia or hypo- or hyper-kalemia).

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 60 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: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Yoga<br>Yoga sessions (35 minutes each) will be performed 5 times weekly for 4 weeks. | Behavioral: Yoga<br>* Yoga sessions will be completed 5 times per week for 4 weeks.<br>|
| Other: Waitlist control<br>Waitlisted participants will maintain their normal diet and exercise patterns for 4 weeks prior to rerandomization to the yoga group. | Behavioral: Waitlist control<br>* Waitlisted participants will maintain their normal exercise and diet for 4 weeks. After follow up testing at week 4, participants will be rerandomized to the yoga condition.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in blood pressure from low- to high-sodium dietary conditions | Blood pressure will be measured after 3 days of very low sodium and 3 days of high sodium intake. | Measurements will be completed after 3 days of low and 3 days of high sodium intake at baseline and after 4 weeks for both conditions. | 
| Change in endothelial function from low- to high-sodium dietary conditions. | Flow-mediated dilation will be measured via ultrasound imaging of the upper arm after 3 days of low- and 3 days of high- sodium dietary conditions. | Measurements will be completed after 3 days of low- and 3 days of high-sodium intake at baseline and at week 4. | 
| Change in arterial stiffness from low- to high-sodium dietary conditions. | Cardio-ankle vascular index will be measured after 3 days of low- and 3 days of high-sodium intake. | Measurements will be completed after 3 days of low- and 3 days of high-sodium intake at baseline and at week 4. | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in urinary sodium excretion from low- to high-sodium dietary conditions. | 24-hour urine collection will be completed after 3 days of low- and after 3 days of high-sodium dietary conditions. | Measurements will be completed after 3 days of low- and 3 days of high-sodium intake at baseline and at week 4. | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Blood pressure, Salt sensitivity