Sympathetic Neurovascular Transduction: Role of Adrenergic Receptors and Sex Differences

The main purpose of this interventional study is to examine differences in resting blood pressure control between healthy males and females. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. Are there sex differences in the communication between the sympathetic nervous system (also known as the "fight or flight" response) and peripheral blood vessels (which influence systemic blood pressure)? 2. What is the role of specific vascular receptors that respond to sympathetic signals, and is it different between males and females? Participants will complete one study visit of approximately 3 hours where they will: * Have a blood sample taken to measure circulating sex hormone and sympathetic transmitters. * Receive very small doses of medications commonly used to adjust blood pressure through an artery in their arm. The effects of these medications will be short-acting and localized to the forearm. * Have their sympathetic nervous activity directly measured through two very small needles (similar to acupuncture needles) in the side of their leg. * Have their blood pressure and heart rate recorded, and forearm blood flow measured using ultrasound.

NCT Number	NCT05997732
Lead Sponsor	University of Alberta
Conditions	Vasoconstriction, Vasodilation
Enrollment	30 participants
Start Date	2023-10-31
Primary Completion	2027-12-01 (estimated)
Study Completion	2027-12-01 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-01-08