MitoQ for High Blood Pressure

(MAVHS Trial)

Overseen By Zachary J Hutchison, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Auburn University

Must not be taking: Blood thinners

Disqualifiers: Cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Diabetes, Obesity, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

60 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a supplement called MitoQ can improve blood pressure and blood vessel function. Researchers focus on its effects on black individuals, who often face a higher risk of heart-related issues. Participants will receive either MitoQ or a placebo to compare the effects. Ideal candidates have mildly elevated blood pressure, no significant health issues like diabetes or heart disease, and have not smoked in the past year. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research that could lead to better heart health solutions for black individuals.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that MitoQ is likely to be safe for humans?

Research has shown that MitoQ is generally safe for use. Studies have found that MitoQ does not affect key health indicators such as inflammation, blood fats, blood sugar, and blood pressure, suggesting it is unlikely to cause major side effects.

In another study, MitoQ significantly helped arteries widen, benefiting heart health. This indicates that MitoQ can support heart functions safely.

Overall, evidence suggests that MitoQ is safe, making it a promising option for those considering joining a clinical trial. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Most treatments for high blood pressure focus on lowering blood pressure through medications like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or diuretics. But MitoQ works differently, targeting oxidative stress at the mitochondrial level. This is exciting because oxidative stress is a key player in the development of high blood pressure, and MitoQ's unique antioxidant properties aim to directly combat this. Researchers are hopeful that MitoQ could offer a new way to manage high blood pressure by improving vascular function and reducing sympathetic nerve activity, potentially leading to better outcomes for patients.

What evidence suggests that MitoQ might be an effective treatment for high blood pressure?

Research has shown that MitoQ, a special antioxidant targeting the energy centers in cells, can help lower blood pressure. One study found that participants who took MitoQ experienced a drop in blood pressure by about 25 points after just a week. Other studies have also found significant decreases in the systolic blood pressure reading. MitoQ has demonstrated improvements in heart health and is generally well-tolerated. This trial will compare the effects of MitoQ with a placebo to assess its potential benefits for high blood pressure and related heart issues. ^{3 6 7 8 9}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for black and white individuals aged 19-75 with blood pressure no higher than 150/90 mmHg, a BMI below 35, not currently smoking or having smoked in the past year. They should be free from diabetes, kidney disease, pulmonary disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and must not be on blood thinners or have any issues that prevent exercise.

Inclusion Criteria

Have blood pressure no higher than 150/90 mmHg

My BMI is under 35.

I am between 19 and 75 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a history of heart disease.

Communication barriers

I have a history of kidney disease.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Baseline Assessment

Participants undergo baseline assessments including mental health, sleep quality, physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and dietary intake

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants receive acute MitoQ supplementation or placebo, with assessments of sympathetic nerve activity, vascular function, blood pressure, and blood samples before and after supplementation

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in flow-mediated dilation, blood biomarkers, muscle sympathetic nerve activity, arterial stiffness, blood pressure reactivity, and reactive oxygen species

1 hour post-supplementation

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• MitoQ

Trial Overview The study tests if MitoQ affects blood vessel function and nervous system regulation of blood pressure differently across races. It aims to understand racial disparities in hypertension and cardiovascular risk by observing changes in those with elevated blood pressure or stage 1 hypertension.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: MitoQ Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will have sympathetic nerve activity, vascular function, blood pressure and blood samples (from intravenous catheters) assessed before and after acute MitoQ supplementation (80 - 160mg).

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will have sympathetic nerve activity, vascular function, blood pressure and blood samples (from intravenous catheters) assessed before and after a placebo matched in appearance to the MitoQ.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Auburn University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

81

Recruited

14,600+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Recent studies highlight the potential of new antihypertensive drugs, such as aprocitentan, baxdrostat, and finerenone, which target specific pathways in resistant hypertension that current treatments do not address, showing promising safety and efficacy.

Catheter-based renal denervation has also been supported as a safe and effective additional treatment for resistant hypertension, providing new options for patients at high cardiovascular risk.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Taming resistant hypertension: The promise of novel pharmacologic approaches and renal denervation. Azzam, O., Nejad, SH., Carnagarin, R., et al.[2023]

In a study of 50 patients with primary aldosteronism, good blood pressure control was achieved, with average 24-hour blood pressure readings of 130/77 mmHg, indicating effective management of hypertension.

80% of patients showed full adherence to their antihypertensive therapy, primarily using mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists like spironolactone and eplerenone, with eplerenone being favored due to side effects from spironolactone.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adherence and blood pressure control in patients with primary aldosteronism. Nikrýnová Nguyen, TMP., Štrauch, B., Petrák, O., et al.[2022]

Mitoquinone (MitoQ(10)) is effectively absorbed in the intestines, with 18-41% of the administered dose accumulating intracellularly, indicating its potential as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases.

The absorption of MitoQ(10) can be significantly enhanced by the presence of serum proteins like bovine serum albumin, suggesting that its bioavailability may improve in real-life conditions despite some limitations from metabolism and transport proteins.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Transport and metabolism of MitoQ10, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, in Caco-2 cell monolayers. Li, Y., Fawcett, JP., Zhang, H., et al.[2018]

The review highlights the lack of clear treatment algorithms for resistant arterial hypertension, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches based on individual patient characteristics such as hemodynamic type and plasma renin activity.

It discusses the potential effectiveness of using mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists as a primary strategy in managing resistant hypertension, suggesting that personalized treatment plans could improve patient outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pharmacotherapy of resistant arterial hypertension. Shepeleva, NЕ., Rodionov, АV., Fomin, VV.[2019]

A sensitive and accurate liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) assay was developed to measure mitoquinone levels and its metabolites in rat plasma, demonstrating a linear calibration curve and a low limit of quantitation (0.5 ng/mL).

The pharmacokinetic study identified four metabolites of MitoQ10 in rat plasma, suggesting that MitoQ10 is effectively processed in the body, which is important for understanding its potential therapeutic effects in neurodegenerative diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quantitation and metabolism of mitoquinone, a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, in rat by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Li, Y., Zhang, H., Fawcett, JP., et al.[2018]

Resistant hypertension, which is high blood pressure that doesn't respond to multiple medications, is becoming more common, and it can be confirmed by ruling out factors like poor medication adherence and secondary causes.

A thorough evaluation, including patient history and drug serum concentration checks, can significantly reduce the number of patients misdiagnosed with resistant hypertension, highlighting the importance of careful assessment in treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Resistant hypertension : What is it?]. Luft, FC.[2018]

MitoQ(10), a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, significantly reduced systolic blood pressure by approximately 25 mm Hg and improved endothelial function in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats over an 8-week treatment period.

MitoQ(10) also decreased cardiac hypertrophy compared to untreated controls and another compound, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic intervention for preventing hypertension and related cardiovascular diseases.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mitochondria-targeted antioxidant MitoQ10 improves endothelial function and attenuates cardiac hypertrophy. Graham, D., Huynh, NN., Hamilton, CA., et al.[2021]

The AMBER study is investigating whether the potassium-binding polymer patiromer can safely allow the use of spironolactone in patients with resistant hypertension (RHTN) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), potentially preventing hyperkalemia, a common side effect.

This 12-week randomized trial includes 146 patients with an average age of 69.3 years and aims to determine if patiromer can help more patients remain on spironolactone, which is an effective treatment for hypertension, despite their reduced kidney function.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patiromer to Enable Spironolactone Use in the Treatment of Patients with Resistant Hypertension and Chronic Kidney Disease: Rationale and Design of the AMBER Study. Agarwal, R., Rossignol, P., Garza, D., et al.[2022]

Acute high-dose MitoQ supplementation (100-160 mg) in 32 healthy adults showed no significant changes in urinary biomarkers associated with kidney injury, suggesting it is not nephrotoxic.

The study's results support the safety of MitoQ for further research on its effects related to mitochondrial oxidative stress, as it did not affect kidney function or injury markers in the short term.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Acute High Dose MitoQ Does not Increase Urinary Kidney Injury Markers in Healthy Adults. Linder, BA., Stute, NL., Hutchison, ZJ., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 50 male Wistar rats, the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant MitoQ significantly improved survival rates (80%) and reduced tumor incidence (by 60% and 40% in different treatment groups) compared to those treated with diethyl nitrosamine (DEN) alone, indicating its potential as a protective agent against liver cancer.

MitoQ treatment also enhanced liver function and mitochondrial enzyme activities while reversing oxidative damage, suggesting that it effectively modulates mitochondrial antioxidant defenses and may serve as a promising chemotherapeutic agent in the context of DEN-induced hepatocellular carcinoma.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mitoquinol mesylate (MITOQ) attenuates diethyl nitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma through modulation of mitochondrial antioxidant defense systems. Adisa, RA., Sulaimon, LA., Okeke, EG., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8776465/

Effect of Combined Endurance Training and MitoQ on Cardiac ... Systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased in all intervention groups (P < 0.001) while DBP (P < 0.01) and LV hypertrophy (P < 0.05) ...

2. ahajournals.org ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/hypertensionaha.109.130351

Mitochondria-Targeted Antioxidant MitoQ 10 Improves ... An ≈25 mm Hg reduction in blood pressure was achieved after one week of MitoQ10 treatment, which was maintained throughout the remaining study period (Figure 2A) ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3914904/

Combined therapeutic benefit of mitochondria-targeted ... Combining MitoQ 10 and low-dose losartan provides additive therapeutic benefit, significantly attenuating development of hypertension and reducing left ...

4. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2025.1506460/full

Overview of MitoQ on prevention and management ... While majority of the studies reported positive effects of MitoQ on cardiovascular parameters, such as improved endothelial function (36), ...

5. heart.bmj.com heart.bmj.com/content/111/Suppl_3/A284

C Therapeutic potential of the mitochondrial antioxidant ... MitoQ administration was also associated with a significant increase in PEDSR, a marker of diastolic function, and was well tolerated by all participants with ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5945293/

Chronic supplementation with a mitochondrial antioxidant ... MitoQ supplementation did not alter circulating markers of inflammation in the current study; moreover, BMI, blood lipids, glucose and blood pressure were ...

7. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9520456/

Mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant supplementation for ... This study is designed to establish the efficacy of chronic supplementation with the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant MitoQ for improving vascular ...

8. mitoq.com mitoq.com/pages/research?srsltid=AfmBOorLtd5HR80ZezmnKM9_tjNNlLoNDR6Weq-BTw_ArevCquIHFkzF

mitoquinol mesylate research studies & clinical trials In this clinical trial it was confirmed that: MitoQ greatly improved the ability of arteries to dilate (by 42%). MitoQ significantly supports the health of ...

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05886816

Mitoquinone/mitoquinol Mesylate As Oral and Safe ... The overall goal of the study is to determine the efficacy of the treatment with mito-MES 20 mg daily versus placebo for 14 days to prevent confirmed SARS-CoV-2 ...