Human Studies
The Envirome Human Studies Unit carries out clinical trials and human-focused research on the built environment, aiming to uncover the environmental factors contributing to chronic diseases.
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Ongoing Studies
Inhaled Biologic Compounds for Cardiovascular Health (BVOC) Study (IRB # 22.0543)
Participants needed for study on the health effects of plant products. The Envirome Institute is inviting healthy adult volunteers to come to our site at 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd to inhale commercially available plant products or common household items like a candle and undergo cardiovascular health tests. These tests include blood pressure, heart rate variability, and blood vessel health measures before and after inhaling products. We will collect blood twice, about 1.5 tablespoons each time and 4 urine samples. You can participate up to 10 times with each visit taking about 1.5-2 hours in person and about 2 hours of away from our site to complete collecting your urine samples. We aim to learn how these plant products may be responsible for some of the beneficial effects of plants. Participant compensation will be a $50 Swift pre-paid card at each study visit.
For additional Information: email ATRAC@louisville.edu or call 502-215-5872.
Effects of Short-Term Green Exposure in an Urban Environment – Trager MicroForest Study (IRB # 23.0437)
The Envirome Institute is inviting healthy adult volunteers to come to our site in downtown Louisville for 2 separate visits, to walk within an urban park and surrounding area while wearing mobile cardiovascular and monitoring devices. The purpose of our study is to understand the impact of greenness on stress in humans. This involves 40 minutes spent in a park or urban location, saliva samples, urine samples, health questionnaires, blood pressure and heart rate assessments. We will also ask you to come back in 3 years after a greening intervention (planting of trees and other greenery). Participants will receive a $50 prepaid gift card for each completed visit.
For additional information: email envirome@louisville.edu or call 502-215-3786.
Inhaled Biogenic Volatile Organic Compounds Effect on Sleep – BVOC Sleep Study (IRB # 23.0853)
The Envirome Institute is inviting healthy adult volunteers to help us understand how inhaling plant products while you sleep affects your sleep patterns. We will ask you to come to our site at 302 E Muhammad Ali Blvd to pick up a sleep kit (diffuser, scents, sleep monitor) to use while you sleep for 4 days a week for about 4 weeks. You will be provided with 3 different scents and instructed on when and how to use them in the diffuser. We will ask you to wear a sleep monitor on your wrist, provide a urine sample once a week and answer daily surveys. Participant compensation up to $230 by Swift pre-paid card after completion of the study.
For additional information: email envirome@louisville.edu or call 502-215-3786.
Effects of Carnosine In Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease Patients (CIPHER) NCT06480760 (IRB # 24.0309)
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when the circulation of blood becomes blocked due to the buildup of fat in the arteries supplying blood to the legs. This disease impairs the quality of life and walking ability of these patients. There is no effective medication, which could improve the walking ability of PAD patients. Our preclinical work shows supplementing a food constituent carnosine can improve the blood flow in legs with impaired blood flow. In a small pilot study with PAD patients, we found carnosine improves walking ability of PAD patients. Building on these observations, we are performing a double-blinded longitudinal study to determine whether carnosine supplementation (1 g) for 6 months in subjects with PAD improves walking ability. In this study there will be enrolled 120 subjects that will be divided into placebo (n=60) and carnosine groups (n=60). The distance covered on the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and the pain-free walking capacity on the treadmill before and after the placebo or carnosine supplementation will be measured. Ankle branchial index (ABI), blood flow by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and carnosine in the skeletal muscle will be measured by 1HMRS. Global metabolomics and proteomics in the skeletal muscle, a comprehensive lipid and metabolic panels of blood, uptake of carnosine in red blood cells (RBCs) and carnosine aldehyde conjugates in the urine will be measured before and after 6 months of carnosine and placebo supplementation. Following completion of the study, subjects will be followed up for another 3 months and examine the durability of carnosine supplementation. Participants' compensation will be $50-100 pre-paid card for each visit.
For additional information: email spbaba01@louisville.edu or 502-852-4274.
Research Programs
Green Heart Louisville Project – HEAL Study
The University of Louisville's School of Medicine is partnering with the Oakdale-Wyandotte, Jacobs, Taylor-Berry, Wilder Park, Beechmont and Hazelwood neighborhoods to conduct the Health, Environment and Action in Louisville (HEAL) Study. The HEAL Study is part of the Green Heart Louisville Project. Green Heart is studying what community residents think makes a happy, healthy neighborhood and whether certain neighborhood characteristics, like air pollution and greenness, impact health. Participants will receive a VISA gift card for participating.
Learn more about the HEAL Study.
Green Sleep Study
Green Sleep takes an in-depth look at how greenness affects your sleep over the course of 14 consecutive days (24-hour periods). This study consists of one in-person visit and the mobile monitoring period aimed at investigating the quality of your sleep and how active you are during the day with the help of watch-like device. We also measure air pollution, carbon dioxide levels, temperature, humidity and barometric pressure in the sleeping area.
For additional information or to request access to data: email greenheart@louisville.edu or call 502-215-5707.
Cardiovascular Injury Due to Tobacco Use – CITU 2.0 Study
The University of Louisville's School of Medicine, in partnership with the American Heart Association, facilitates research on the perceptions and health of those who use electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) and tobacco products in healthy young adults (18-45 years of age). The study has recruited healthy unmedicated participants who only use e-cigs, cigarettes or cigarillos. The longitudinal study consisted of two study visits; the second study visit took place two years from the first study visit. Both study visits lasted approximately 2.5-3 hours and included questionnaires on social history, health, tobacco use patterns, blood and urine collection and other measures to give us an idea of your heart health before and after an acute tobacco or e-cig use session.
For more information or to request access to data: email ATRAC@louisville.edu or call 502-215-5872.
Cardiovascular Health Effects of Electronic Cigarettes in Young Adults – VAPERACE Study
University of Louisville Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute studies the perceptions and fluctuations of use patterns of electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) in young adults (18-24 years of age). Healthy unmedicated participants who either use e-cigarettes or are tobacco non-users were enrolled in our study. The study conducted an in-person health screening and then fitted participants with a suite of wearable health devices and mobile technology to monitor both use patterns and health outcomes at home. Blood and urine were collected, and non-invasive heart health tests were performed. Self-reported information on health, social history and tobacco product use was collected at the beginning of the study and over the 48 hr. mobile monitoring period.
For more information or to request access to data: email ATRAC@louisville.edu or call 502-215-5872.
Effect of Environmental Exposures on Chronic Health Outcomes – ECO Study
The Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute has created the Effect of Environmental Exposures on Chronic Health Outcomes (ECO) cohort study to look at long-term effects of environmental exposures like air and noise pollution on heart health. Participation involves yearly health check-up visits for three years (four in-person & one via phone/email), during which health surveys and health measures like blood pressure, urine and blood samples are completed. Participants in this study live throughout metro Louisville and come from varied socioeconomic backgrounds and can be at risk for health-related issues.
For more information or to request data use: email envirome@louisville.edu or call 502-215-3786.