Trial Outcomes & Findings for The Physiologic Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sarcopenic Obesity (NCT NCT03119610)

NCT ID: NCT03119610

Last Updated: 2021-10-22

Results Overview

Intranasal oxytocin will promote weight loss and preserve muscle mass

Recruitment status

COMPLETED

Study phase

PHASE1/PHASE2

Target enrollment

23 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

Baseline to 8 weeks

Results posted on

2021-10-22

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Overall Study
STARTED
13
10
Overall Study
COMPLETED
12
9
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
1
1

Reasons for withdrawal

Reasons for withdrawal
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Overall Study
Adverse Event
1
0
Overall Study
Lost to Follow-up
0
1

Baseline Characteristics

The Physiologic Effects of Intranasal Oxytocin on Sarcopenic Obesity

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=13 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=10 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Total
n=23 Participants
Total of all reporting groups
Age, Customized
Age, 60 or over
13 Participants
n=5 Participants
10 Participants
n=7 Participants
23 Participants
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
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
2 Participants
n=7 Participants
7 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
1 Participants
n=7 Participants
3 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
11 Participants
n=5 Participants
9 Participants
n=7 Participants
20 Participants
n=5 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
2 Participants
n=5 Participants
3 Participants
n=7 Participants
5 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
11 Participants
n=5 Participants
7 Participants
n=7 Participants
18 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
0 Participants
n=7 Participants
0 Participants
n=5 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
13 participants
n=5 Participants
10 participants
n=7 Participants
23 participants
n=5 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Population: Two participants withdrew after randomization; 1 in Oxytocin and 1 in Placebo group. Data from these two subjects were not collected.

Intranasal oxytocin will promote weight loss and preserve muscle mass

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Body Weight
0.54 Kilograms
Standard Deviation 1.6
0.04 Kilograms
Standard Deviation 2.5

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements of fat mass by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Fat Mass
-0.2 Kilograms
Standard Deviation 0.99
-0.1 Kilograms
Standard Deviation 0.92

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements of lean mass by DXA will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin. Change in body mass index (BMI).

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Body Mass Index
36.8 kg/m2
Standard Deviation 3.5
36.8 kg/m2
Standard Deviation 3.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements of oral glucose tolerance test for 2-hour plasma glucose will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Glucose Levels Measured Using the Glucose Tolerance Test
Fasting glucose
3.36 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 10.18
2.85 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 6.28
Change in Glucose Levels Measured Using the Glucose Tolerance Test
2-hour glucose
-3.15 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 31.126
-3.375 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 14.88

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin. This battery of tests is scored on a scale with 3 SPPB calculation components: 1. Ability to stand for 10 seconds with feet in 3 different positions, scored from 0 min to 4 maximum, with a higher score indicating better balance.(3 Balance subsets: side by side stand scored from 0-1; semi-tandem stance scored from 0-1; tandem stance scored from 0-2) 2. Two timed trials of a 3m or 4 m walk (fastest recorded). Scoring is from 0-4, with 0 being unable to walk and 4 indicating a faster walk time. 3. Time to rise from a chair five times is scored from 0-4, with 0 being unable to complete the activity, and 4 indicating that time to complete is less than 11.1 seconds. Total Score is the sum of all 3 scores: Minimum = 0 Maximum = 12. Higher scores indicate better lower extremity function. Difference between baseline and 8 week performance is reported.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB)
0.5 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.446
0.625 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.598

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in HbA1c (Hemoglobin A1c)
-0.05 Percentage
Standard Deviation 0.1857
0.286 Percentage
Standard Deviation 0.1254

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Waist Circumference
-0.6958 centimeteres
Standard Deviation 4.8662
-1.373 centimeteres
Standard Deviation 2.1997

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Total Cholesterol
-11.18 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 17.417
-1.143 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 16.056

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL)
-8.727 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 16.224
4.1429 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 11.539

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in High Density Lipoproteins (HDL)
1.000 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 2.8983
0.1429 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 3.8408

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Triglycerides
-16.82 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 23.828
-26.29 mg/dL
Standard Deviation 46.903

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin. This is measured on a 20 item scale using the following scoring using number of week days: 1. Rarely or none of the time ( less than 1 day) 2. Some or a little of the time (1-2 days) 3. Occasionally or a moderate amount of time (3-4 days) 4. Most or all of the time (5-7 days) SCORING: zero for answers =1), 1 for answers =2), 2 for answers =3) column, 3 for answers =4) The scoring of positive items is reversed. Possible range of scores is zero to 60, with the higher scores indicating the presence of more symptomatology.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Center for Epidemiologic Studies Scale (CES-D)
-1.375 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.1860
0.2222 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 2.7285

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: Baseline to 8 weeks

Pre- and post-measurements will be examined for individual change with intranasal oxytocin. A 30-point test, with a score of 0 or 1 assigned to each item. The minimum score is 0 and the maximum is 30. The higher the score, the less cognitive impairment.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 Participants
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 Participants
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
1.0000 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.5954
0.4444 score on a scale
Standard Deviation 1.3333

Adverse Events

Oxytocin Nasal Spray

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 12 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Placebo Nasal Spray

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 9 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Other adverse events
Measure
Oxytocin Nasal Spray
n=12 participants at risk
Oxytocin (Syntocinon), intranasal, 24IU, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Oxytocin nasal spray: Self administered Oxytocin nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks versus placebo (normal saline nasal spray)
Placebo Nasal Spray
n=9 participants at risk
Placebo nasal spray, 4x a day for 8 weeks, self administered Placebo nasal spray: Self administered Placebo nasal spray q.i.d. for 8 weeks (normal saline nasal spray)
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness
58.3%
7/12 • Number of events 7 • 8 weeks
22.2%
2/9 • Number of events 2 • 8 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Headache
33.3%
4/12 • Number of events 4 • 8 weeks
33.3%
3/9 • Number of events 3 • 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Nausea
41.7%
5/12 • Number of events 5 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Allergic Rhinitis
41.7%
5/12 • Number of events 5 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Fatigue
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
22.2%
2/9 • Number of events 2 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Nasal Irritation
16.7%
2/12 • Number of events 2 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Sinus Disorder
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Postnasal Drip
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Tiredness
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Malaise
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Chills
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Flu like symptoms
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Lightheaded
16.7%
2/12 • Number of events 2 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Sore Throat
16.7%
2/12 • Number of events 2 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Cough
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Skin Rash
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Neck Pain
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Confusion
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Delirium
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Irritability
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Vascular disorders
Bruise related to biopsy
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Upset stomach
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle Aches
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle spasms, hands
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle spasms, legs
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Leg cramps
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders
Muscle cramps
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Anorexia
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Decreased Appetite
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Nervous system disorders
Migraine
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders
Throat itching
8.3%
1/12 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
0.00%
0/9 • 8 weeks
General disorders
Fever
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Loose stool
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Gastrointestinal disorders
Increased bowel movement
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks
Renal and urinary disorders
Bladder disturbance
0.00%
0/12 • 8 weeks
11.1%
1/9 • Number of events 1 • 8 weeks

Additional Information

Sara Espinoza, MD

UT Health San Antonio

Phone: 210-617-5197

Results disclosure agreements

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