Trial Outcomes & Findings for Effects of L-arginine Supplementation in Adults With Moderate to Severe Asthma (NCT NCT00280683)

NCT ID: NCT00280683

Last Updated: 2017-05-30

Results Overview

Asthma exacerbation is a composite endpoint. An asthma exacerbation is defined as any of the following: a) a drop in the morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) \>30% from baseline on 2 consecutive days, b) a need for initiation of or increased dose of inhaled corticosteroids, or the c) doubling of short-acting rescue β-agonist drug use (e.g.Albuterol) on two consecutive days. Any one of these three counts as one asthma exacerbation.

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE2

Target enrollment

20 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

3 months

Results posted on

2017-05-30

Participant Flow

Between 2006-2008, moderate to severe persistent asthma patients, as defined by the NAEPP Expert Panel Reports, were eligible for enrollment \[10\]. Most subjects were recruited from the UC Davis Asthma Network clinics, which are referral clinics for patients with difficult to control asthma.

The randomization process and disbursement of L-arginine (0.05 g/kg twice daily; 6-10 g/day) and placebo were done by the UC Davis Investigational Drug Service.Eligible subjects had documented moderate to severe persistent asthma, were at least 18 years of age, not pregnant, and able to give consent.

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Arginine
2.3. L-Arginine Intervention The randomization process and disbursement of L-arginine and placebo were done by the UC Davis Investigational Drug Service to ensure that both the physician and participant were blinded.
Placebo
2.3. L-Arginine Intervention The randomization process and disbursement of L-arginine and placebo were done by the UC Davis Investigational Drug Service to ensure that both the physician and participant were blinded.
Overall Study
STARTED
10
10
Overall Study
COMPLETED
8
7
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
2
3

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Arginine
2.3. L-Arginine Intervention The randomization process and disbursement of L-arginine and placebo were done by the UC Davis Investigational Drug Service to ensure that both the physician and participant were blinded.
Placebo
2.3. L-Arginine Intervention The randomization process and disbursement of L-arginine and placebo were done by the UC Davis Investigational Drug Service to ensure that both the physician and participant were blinded.
Overall Study
Withdrawal by Subject
1
2
Overall Study
Adverse Event
1
1

Baseline Characteristics

Effects of L-arginine Supplementation in Adults With Moderate to Severe Asthma

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Arginine
n=10 Participants
2.3. L-Arginine Intervention The randomization process and disbursement of L-arginine (0.05 g/kg twice daily; 6-10 g/day) and placebo were done by the UC Davis Investigational Drug Service to ensure that both the physician and participant were blinded. The subjects began the study medication on day 0 and continued for 90 days and were asked to discontinue use of any nutritional supplements prior to the start of the study.
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Placebo intervention
Total
n=20 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
9 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
18 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
1 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
Age, Continuous
53.1 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.4 • n=5 Participants
50.8 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.1 • n=7 Participants
52.0 years
STANDARD_DEVIATION 15.2 • n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
8 Participants
n=5 Participants
8 Participants
n=7 Participants
16 Participants
n=5 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
4 Participants
n=5 Participants
FEV1 Percent Predicted
75 Percent
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.5 • n=5 Participants
70.8 Percent
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.5 • n=7 Participants
72.9 Percent
STANDARD_DEVIATION 18.0 • n=5 Participants
Exhaled Nitric oxide
28.2 ppb (parts per billion)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 16.4 • n=5 Participants
24.4 ppb (parts per billion)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17.6 • n=7 Participants
26.3 ppb (parts per billion)
STANDARD_DEVIATION 17 • n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 3 months

Population: Our original power analysis was based on an expected minor exacerbation rate of 3-4 per month.

Asthma exacerbation is a composite endpoint. An asthma exacerbation is defined as any of the following: a) a drop in the morning peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) \>30% from baseline on 2 consecutive days, b) a need for initiation of or increased dose of inhaled corticosteroids, or the c) doubling of short-acting rescue β-agonist drug use (e.g.Albuterol) on two consecutive days. Any one of these three counts as one asthma exacerbation.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arginine
n=10 Participants
The L-arginine 1g tablets were from Jarrow formulas (Los Angeles, CA). The name of these tablets is Arginine 1000.
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Matching placebo tablets were made by Jarrow Formulas.
Number of Asthma Exacerbations in Three Months
30 exacerbations
31 exacerbations

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 90 days

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Arginine
n=10 Participants
The L-arginine 1g tablets were from Jarrow formulas (Los Angeles, CA). The name of these tablets is Arginine 1000.
Placebo
n=10 Participants
Matching placebo tablets were made by Jarrow Formulas.
L-arginine Serum Concentration
0.002 pmol/100ul
Standard Error 0.0006
0.0011 pmol/100ul
Standard Error 0.0002

Adverse Events

Arginine

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 1 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Arginine
n=10 participants at risk
L-arginine 1 g tablets were made by Jarrow Formulas.
Placebo
n=10 participants at risk
Matching placebo tablets were purchased from Jarrow Formulas.
Cardiac disorders
Hypertension
0.00%
0/10 • 1 year intervals
10.0%
1/10 • Number of events 1 • 1 year intervals

Additional Information

Dr. Nicholas Kenyon

UCaliforniaDavis

Phone: 916-734-3564

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place