Pilot Study to Assess the Effect of High Dose N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients

NCT ID: NCT00969904

Last Updated: 2012-07-03

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

PHASE4

Total Enrollment

12 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2009-03-31

Study Completion Date

2011-01-31

Brief Summary

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Studies suggest that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) potentially reduces inflammation and hyperinflation in patients with COPD.

In this pilot study the efficacy, safety and tolerability of high dose NAC in 12 patients with moderate COPD will be examined. These patients will receive a placebo for 12 weeks and NAC for 12 weeks in a dosage of 3 times 600 mg a day on top of their usual medication in a randomized crossover design. All subjects will be followed for 28 weeks.

The effect of high dose NAC on small airways will be assessed by measuring the total and peripheral airway resistance calculated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The effect on oxidative stress will be assessed by measuring exhaled NO and specific markers (CRP, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, IL-6, 8-isoprostane, H2O2, TNF-alfa, glutathione, GPX, SOD and IL-8) in blood and Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC). Dynamic and static lung volumes will be assessed by spirometry, body plethysmography and diffusion. Quality of life and symptoms will be assessed by the St George Respiratory Questionnaire.

Detailed Description

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Conditions

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COPD

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

QUADRUPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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1

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

N-acetylcysteine

Intervention Type DRUG

600 mg TID for 12 weeks

2

Group Type PLACEBO_COMPARATOR

placebo

Intervention Type DRUG

placebo tablet TID for 12 weeks

Interventions

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N-acetylcysteine

600 mg TID for 12 weeks

Intervention Type DRUG

placebo

placebo tablet TID for 12 weeks

Intervention Type DRUG

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

1. Patients with documented COPD based on the following criteria:

* Smoking history of at least 10 pack-years
* Decreased Tiffeneau index (FEV1/(FVC \< 0.70)
2. Patients aged ≥ 40 years
3. Patients who stopped smoking since more than 1 month
4. Patients who present moderate COPD with an FEV1 between 50 and 80% of predicted (GOLD 2)
5. Patients should be treated according to GOLD guidelines

Exclusion Criteria

1. Unstable patients who developed an exacerbation during the last 8 weeks
2. Patients who are current smokers or stopped less than 1 month
3. Patients who are allergic to acetylcysteine or to another element of the product
4. Patients with phenylketonuria or an untreated active peptic ulcer
5. Patients with any stage kidney and/or heart insufficiency or hypertension
6. Patients already treated with NAC for more than 6 months or during the last 3 months
7. Patients on continuous treatment with oral, inhalation, intravenous or intramuscular corticosteroids
8. Patients who are pregnant or are breast-feeding
9. Patients who are treated with orally administered cephalosporins
10. Patients using supplements containing antioxidants as vitamins C or E
Minimum Eligible Age

40 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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University Hospital, Antwerp

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Wilfried De Backer

MD PhD

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Wilfried A De Backer, MD, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University Hospital, Antwerp

Locations

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University Hospital Antwerp

Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium

Site Status

Countries

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Belgium

References

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De Backer J, Vos W, Van Holsbeke C, Vinchurkar S, Claes R, Parizel PM, De Backer W. Effect of high-dose N-acetylcysteine on airway geometry, inflammation, and oxidative stress in COPD patients. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2013;8:569-79. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S49307. Epub 2013 Nov 22.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 24293993 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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EC 8/40/128

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: secondary_id

PML_DOC_0804

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id