Influence of Statins in Artery Aneurysms (INSTANT)

February 23, 2017 updated by: Prof. Raffaele Serra, MD, Ph.D., University of Catanzaro

The Influence of Statin Treatment on Aneurysmatic Disease

The altered balance between the proteinases and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPS) is one of the pathogenetical mechanism of the aneurysmatic connective tissue degeneration. The increasement of protease, collagenase and elastase activity results indeed in a dramatic drop of collagen and elastin tissue and serum levels.Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes that along with their specific and non-specific inhibitors modulate the extracellular matrix composition. Recent studies have suggested an interesting role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the regulation mechanisms of inflammation.

The aim of our study is to analyse the influence of statin treatment on aneurysmatic disease by monitoring MMPs and miRNAs in aneurysmatic wall tissue and MMps blood levels.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Unknown

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

The altered balance between the proteinases and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPS) is one of the pathogenetical mechanism of the aneurysmal connective tissue degeneration. The increase of protease, collagenase and elastase activity results indeed in a dramatic drop of collagen and elastin tissue and serum levels.

Vessels wall strength decrease is associated with the blood flow shear stress and affects negatively the walls integrity, causing the aneurysmatic vessel degeneration.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of proteolytic enzymes that along with their specific and non-specific inhibitors modulate the extracellular matrix composition.

So far, 25 MMPs have been discovered, in particular, the ones that will be considered in this study are: MMP-2, MMP-9, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) a related protein which is able to control MMP-9 activities.

Inflammation plays a central role in the pathogenetical pathway of aneurysmatic developement. Recent studies have suggested an interesting role of miRNAs in the regulation mechanisms of inflammation. miRNAs are short ribonucleic acid molecules usually composed of 20 to 25 nucleotides that can regulate mRNA transcription and protein translation by targeting the 3'-untranslated regions (3'-UTR) of target genes. miRNAs are involved in various physiological responses and pathological processes. Increasing evidence suggest that miRNAs are involved in inflammatory responses. In particular the ones that will be focused on this study are: miR-29b, miR-21, miR-181a, miR-150.

Very often, patients with aneurysmatic disease are under statin treatment. Some Statins (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin or Rosuvastatin) with pleiotropic effects may also play a protective role by conditioning the progression of the aneurysmatic degeneration.

The aim of our study is to analyse the influence of statin treatment on aneurysmatic disease by monitoring some MMPs and related molecules (MMP-2, MMP-9 and NGAL), miRNAs (the evaluation will be performed in aneurysmatic wall tissues and circulating blood levels).

Patients affected by central and peripheral aneurysmatic disease will be recruited and then divided in two groups based on the dosage of the statin treatment: the first group with maximum statin daily dose (Atorvastatin 80 mg, Simvastatin 40 mg, Rosuvastatin 40 mg), the second group with minimum statin daily dose. The latter will be defined as the control group.

Only patients which will fullfill the criteria to undergo surgical treatment will be recruited in the study in order to collect biological specimen of the aneurysmatic tissues .

The investigation consist in:

  • taking a preoperative blood sample to evaluate the MMPs circulating levels
  • taking an aneurysmatic vessel wall histological sample with an intraoperative biopsy to evaluate the tissue MMPs and miRNAs levels.

Previously, several studies suggested a role of MMPs (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and miRNAs in regulation of aneurysm developement, in particular miR29b, miR-181a, miR-21, miR-150.

The comparison between MMPs Levels in the study group and in the control group might highlight a role for MMPs level as a marker of aneurysmatic disease progression, consequently allowing the patient's stratification by analysing the risk of aneurysmatic evolution and growth.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
20

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Raffaele Serra, M.D.; Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: +39 09613647380
  • Email: rserra@unicz.it

Study Contact Backup

  • Name: Luca Gallelli, M.D.; Ph.D.
  • Phone Number: +39 0961 3339245656
  • Email: gallelli@unicz.it

Study Locations

  • Italy
      • Catanzaro, Italy, 88100
        • Recruiting
        • University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Stefano de Franciscis, M.D.
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Luca Gallelli, M.D.; Ph.D

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

14 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Patients affected by central and peripheral aneurysmal disease are going to be recruited and then divided in two groups based on the dosage of the statin treatment: the first group with maximum statin daily dose ( Atorvastatin 80 mg, Simvastatin 40 mg, Rosuvastatin 40 mg), the second group with minimum statin daily dose. The latter will be defined as the control group.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Patients under statins treatment with pleiotropic effect: Simvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Atorvastatin
  • Patients underwent open aneurysm repair
  • Age >18
  • signing informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with chronic diseases such as liver diseases
  • Pazient whith malignant diseases
  • Recreational drug intake and alcohol abuse
  • Intake of statins other than those under study or in combination therapy

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Group I

Patients affected by central and peripheral aneurismatic disease with maximum statin daily dose ( Atorvastatin 80 mg, Simvastatin 40 mg, Rosuvastatin 40 mg).

Patients will undergo Open Surgical Treatment of Aneurysm (Aneurysmectomy).

The investigation consist in:

  • taking a preoperative blood sample to evaluate the MMPs circulating levels
  • taking an aneurismatic vassel wall istological sample with an intraoperative biopsy to evaluate the tissue MMPs and miRNAs levels
Procedure: Open Surgical Treatment of Aneurysm (Aneurysmectomy)
Aneurysmectomy is a surgical procedure in which a localized, dilated, weakened section of an artery (aneurysm) is removed (resected). The artery is either replaced with a synthetic graft, as seen in an aneurysm in the chest (thoracic aneurysm), abdomen (abdominal aneurysm) or leg (femoral or popliteal aneurysm).
Group II

Patients affected by central and peripheral aneurismatic disease with minimum statin daily dose.

Patients will undergo Open Surgical Treatment of Aneurysm (Aneurysmectomy).

The investigation consist in:

  • taking a preoperative blood sample to evaluate the MMPs circulating levels
  • taking an aneurismatic vassel wall istological sample with an intraoperative biopsy to evaluate the tissue MMPs and miRNAs levels
Procedure: Open Surgical Treatment of Aneurysm (Aneurysmectomy)
Aneurysmectomy is a surgical procedure in which a localized, dilated, weakened section of an artery (aneurysm) is removed (resected). The artery is either replaced with a synthetic graft, as seen in an aneurysm in the chest (thoracic aneurysm), abdomen (abdominal aneurysm) or leg (femoral or popliteal aneurysm).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Evaluation of MMP-2, MMP-9 and NGAL levels in blood and aneurysms tissue
Time Frame: 1 year
MMP-2, MMP-9 and NGAL will be studied in both groups. Elisa Testing will be used to analyze the blood samples and Western blot analysis will be used for the tissue samples.
1 year
Evalutation of miRNAs levels in blood and aneurysms tissue
Time Frame: 1 year
Evaluation of miRNAs levels (in particular miR29b, miR-181a, miR-21, miR-150) will be studied in both groups. Stem-loop reverse-transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) method will be used for measuring individual microRNAs (miRNAs) in tissue and blood samples.
1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
University of Catanzaro

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Study Chair: Stefano de Franciscis, M.D., University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
February 15, 2017

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
February 26, 2018

Study Completion (Anticipated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
April 27, 2018

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
February 15, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 17, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
February 23, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 27, 2017

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 23, 2017

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2017

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • ER.ALL.2016.04

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

No

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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