Using a randomized, double-blinded, parallel-design approach, we hypothesize that 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in expression of inflammatory markers in blood, endothelial cells, and central adipose compared with a BP-lowering control condition using hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and a separate placebo treatment.~Determine the extent to which inflammation in the body is caused by elevated sympathetic nerve activity
The purpose of this study is to examine the hypothesize that 4 weeks of sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) inhibition (oral clonidine) will cause a significant reduction in circulating blood concentrations and endothelial cell expression of inflammatory markers (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6).~Our study is a prospective study using a randomized, double-blinded design to test 4 weeks of SNA blockade (oral clonidine) compared with a BP-lowering control condition (diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide) or a placebo.