CEP-1 Hormonal Regulation of Circulating Endothelial Progenitor Cells and HDL-C in Men

NCT ID: NCT00729859

Last Updated: 2012-10-12

Study Results

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE2

Total Enrollment

31 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2008-12-31

Study Completion Date

2010-05-31

Brief Summary

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The original purpose of this research study was to understand the effects of testosterone (T) and estrogen on stem cells in the blood. The knowledge would be used to help understand the effects of T and estrogen on cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease, and to help in the development of a safe male hormonal contraceptive.

The effect of androgens on the number of circulating endothelial progenitor (CEP) cells would best be observed in group 1 (placebo). Upon observation of group 1 under original protocol, changes in CEP cells were not significant but there were changes in markers of inflammation, lipids, and HDL protein composition. A modification to the protocol and title were made to reflect this for groups 2 and 3: Hormonal regulation of HDL-C in Men.

Detailed Description

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We will be administering three drugs: testosterone gel (T), anastrozole, and acyline. We want to see their effects on stem cells and hormone levels in the blood. Acyline suppress luteinizing hormone(LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), which are hormones made by the pituitary gland, thus blocking the signal from the brain that causes the testes to make testosterone. Therefore acyline blocks testosterone production. Some men may experience side effects such as hot flashes or irritability from the low levels of T caused by acyline. We are studying whether adding T to acyline will reduce or eliminate these side effects.

Since heart disease is a common problem in men we want to know about the effects of male hormonal contraception on the cardiovascular system. One way to evaluate these risks is to measure the number of progenitor cells and the types of cholesterol in the blood. Progenitor cells are cells that travel in the blood and go to areas of blood vessel injury to help repair the damage amd may help prevent heart attacks and stokes. Some studies suggest that T administration may increase the number of these cells in the blood but other studies have shown that estrogen may be responsible for this effect. In addition, T and estrogen may affect the amount and type of HDL cholesterol in the blood. This is the "good" cholesterol that is thought to protect people from heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, more studies to test the effects of T and estrogen on progenitor cells in the blood and to understand HDL cholesterol in men receiving testosterone are needed.

Acyline is an experimental drug. The FDA allows its use only in research with a small number of volunteers. So far, over 125 men have received acyline. Anastrozole is a drug that blocks the production of estrogen from testosterone. Anastrozole has been given to men safely in the past. Anastrozole is not approved for use in men and is also an experimental drug. Testosterone gel will also be used in this study. It is FDA approved for use in men with low testosterone levels.

Conditions

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Healthy

Keywords

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HDL Insulin sensitivity testosterone estradiol cholesterol

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

PREVENTION

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Participants

Study Groups

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Group 1

Acyline 300 µg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) + placebo (no active ingredients) gel daily for 28 days + oral placebo pill daily for 28 days

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Acyline

Intervention Type DRUG

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + placebo Testosterone gel daily for 28 days + placebo oral anastrozole pill daily for 28 days

Group 2

Acyline 300 µg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) + Testosterone gel 100 mg daily for 28 days + oral placebo pill daily for 28 days

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Acyline + Testosterone gel

Intervention Type DRUG

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + Testosterone gel 100 mg daily for 28 days + placebo oral pill 1 mg daily for 28 days

Group 3

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + Testosterone gel 100 mg daily for 28 days + oral anastrozole pill 1 mg daily for 28 days

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Acyline + testosterone gel + anastrozole

Intervention Type DRUG

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + Testosterone gel 100 mg daily for 28 days + oral anastrozole pill 1 mg daily for 28 days

Interventions

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Acyline

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + placebo Testosterone gel daily for 28 days + placebo oral anastrozole pill daily for 28 days

Intervention Type DRUG

Acyline + Testosterone gel

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + Testosterone gel 100 mg daily for 28 days + placebo oral pill 1 mg daily for 28 days

Intervention Type DRUG

Acyline + testosterone gel + anastrozole

Acyline 300 μg/kg injections every two weeks (2 doses) for 28 days + Testosterone gel 100 mg daily for 28 days + oral anastrozole pill 1 mg daily for 28 days

Intervention Type DRUG

Other Intervention Names

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placebo testosterone gel placebo pill Acyline testosterone gel Acyline Testosterone gel Anastrozole

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Males age 18-55 years
* Normal serum total testosterone (300 ng/dl-1000 ng/dl)
* Normal LH and FSH levels
* Taking no regular medications
* Normal baseline serum hematology, chemistry and liver function tests
* Agrees not to donate blood during the study
* Agrees to use a form of contraception during the study
* Subject must be able to comply with all study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

* Clinically significant screening assessments or other relevant disease, allergy or surgery, as revealed by history, physical examination and/or laboratory assessments, which may limit participation or prevent completion of the study
* History of prostate cancer, breast cancer, or benign prostatic hypertrophy
* Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) \> 3.0
* History of regular, chronic testosterone or anabolic steroid use in the past year
* Chronic medical illness, prostate disease, or cardiovascular disease
* History of a bleeding disorder or need for anticoagulation
* Skin condition that might interfere with or be exacerbated by T gel use
* Sitting systolic blood pressure \> 180mm Hg or \<90 mm Hg or sitting diastolic blood pressure \>110 mm Hg or \< 60 mm Hg.
* History of clinically significant, untreated sleep apnea
* Participation in another drug-related research study within the past 2 months
* Participating in a regular physical relationship with a pregnant woman
* History of hypersensitivity to any of the study medications (T gel, anastrozole, acyline)
* History of medical or surgical therapy for benign prostatic hypertrophy
* Hematocrit \> 55%
* History of drug or alcohol abuse within last 6 months
* Abnormal digital rectal exam at screening
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Maximum Eligible Age

55 Years

Eligible Sex

MALE

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sponsors

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Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

NIH

Sponsor Role collaborator

University of Washington

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Stephanie T. Page

Associate Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Stephanie Page, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of Washington

Countries

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United States

References

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Other Identifiers

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U54HD042454

Identifier Type: NIH

Identifier Source: secondary_id

View Link

33853-A

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id