Effect of a Specific Aquaporin-1 Inhibitor on Vascular Oxidative Stress in Healthy Volunteers

DCFA is a probe used to assess the presence of intracellular ROS. Red blood cells are incubated with DCFA and H2O2. In cells, DCFA is transformed into DCF in the presence of ROS such as H2O2 and the intensity of the emitted signal can be measured by FACS. This technique allows us to measure kinetically the entry of H2O2 by AQP1 in RBCs

Oxidative stress is involved in the decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO). HbNO a complexe used to assess NO bioavailability. HbNO can be quantify by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Lipid peroxidation is oxidative damage that affects cellular membranes, lipoproteins, and other molecules that contain lipids in conditions with oxidative stress. Assessement of changes in lipid peroxides level during the study is a reflect of oxidative status. Lipid peroxydes are measured by an ELISA test.

Endo-PAT is a non-invasive technique to assess peripheral arterial tone following a reactive hyperemia phenomenon. Using probes placed on the fingertips, EndoPAT measures changes in vascular tone mediated by the endothelium following reactive hyperemia induced by forearm occlusion using a cuff.

C-reactive protein is a marker of inflammation. unit: mg/L The CRP assesses the inflammatory state of an individual. CRP is measured in the serum after a blood sampling.

The hemogram is a quantitative and qualitative analysis of blood constituents. This test is performed to reiterate the known safety of Bacopa monnieri on the systemic circulation after oral ingestion. The haemogram includes the following measurements: haemoglobin (g/L), haematocrit (g/L) and red blood cells (10^6/µL).

As Bacopa monnieri has a diuretic effect, an ionic count will help assess the concentration of electrolytes in the blood. The ion count includes the following measurements: Sodium (mM), potassium (mM), chloride (mM), bicarbonate (mM).

To assess the effect of Bacopa monnieri on the lipid profile, we measure blood lipids. Lipids include total cholesterol (mg/dL), HDL cholesterol (mg/dL), LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) and triglycerides (mg/dL).

Liver function will be assessed to verify the known safety of Bacopa monnieri. Liver function includes: transaminase level (U/L) and gamma-glutamyl-transferase level (U/L).

Renal function will be assessed to reiterate the known safety of Bacopa monnieri. Renal function includes the following measurements: creatinine (mg/dl), urea (mg/dl) and glomerular filtration rate (ml/min/m²).

The HOMA index will be used to assess changes in insulin sensitivity over the course of the study. The HOMA index is calculated as follows: Fasting blood glucose (mmol/L) * Fasting insulin (mui/mL)/22.5. To calculate this index, we measure fasting blood glucose (mg/dL) and fasting insulin (pmol/L). An index >2.4 is a diagnostic of insulin resistance.

To assess changes in body composition over the course of the study, we will be using impedance measurement technology. Impedance analysis is used to calculate lean mass (%), fat mass (%) and fluid volume (%).

To assess changes in body composition over the course of the study, we measure waist and hip circumferences. We measure these circumferences using a tape measure in centimetres.