Could a cheap pill fix stiff arteries in insulin resistance?

NCT ID NCT03837626

First seen Sep 30, 2025 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 28 times

Summary

This study tested whether amiloride, a drug that blocks sodium channels, can improve artery stiffness and blood vessel function in people who are overweight and insulin resistant. 137 men and women (pre- and postmenopausal) took either amiloride or a placebo daily for 6 months. The main goal was to see if the drug could reduce a key measure of arterial stiffness, which is a risk factor for heart disease.

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This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Contacts and locations

Locations

  • University of Missouri Hospital and Clinics

    Columbia, Missouri, 65201, United States

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Amiloride (a pill that blocks sodium channels in cells)

What this could lead to

If successful, this could point toward a simple, low-cost way to reduce artery stiffness and heart disease risk in people with insulin resistance.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed trial. The drug may not show clear benefits, or results may not apply to all groups. Amiloride can affect kidney function and electrolyte balance.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Insulin Resistance Obesity obesity disorder Overweight

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.