MPOL
RECRUITMENT IS CLOSED FOR THIS STUDY
Blood contains many components that can serve as indicators of health and the medical profession routinely uses changes in these circulating 'biomarkers' to help in the diagnosis of disease.
Microparticles found in the blood are emerging as new biomarkers in a number of diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease. They are small particles shed from many types of cells, including those that line the blood vessels and also red blood cells, immune cells and platelets.
Microparticles are thought to be 'bioactive' because they carry molecules that might play an active role in the progression of diseases such as cardiovascular disease.
This research will investigate whether risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as being overweight, having high blood cholesterol, etc., alter the numbers and/or composition of microparticles. This could help us to understand the role of microparticles in cardiovascular disease and to develop interventions which could beneficially reduce numbers and/or types of microparticles.
We are looking to recruit males aged 25-55 years, with a BMI of 20-25 or 28-35 kg/m2.