Alterations in Protein Synthesis Rates of Burn Patients Measured Over Time Using PET Scans

August 12, 2009 updated by: Massachusetts General Hospital

A Quantitative Study of the Metabolic Alterations in Protein Synthesis Rate That Occur in Burn Patients Over the Time Course of Their Injury Using Positron Emission Tomography.

Our specific aim is to gain an understanding of protein synthesis rates in burn patients at various times during their injury and recovery by using PET scans. This will be compared with healthy volunteer controls. We hope this will help optimize nutrition and care regimens for future burn patients.

Study Overview

Status

Unknown

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The purpose of this study is to understand how muscles are built up and broken down (metabolism) in both burn patients and healthy people.The studies will help us understand how muscle metabolism is different for burn patients and healthy subjects. We hope to find ways to help the body of a burn victim heal without losing too much muscle.

Protein is an important part of our daily diet. Normally, the body breaks down the protein we eat into smaller pieces called amino acids. It uses the amino acids to make its own proteins. It uses these proteins to heal wounds, fight infections, and provide energy.

After a burn injury, the body speeds up the pace of its life activities. It needs more energy just to stay alive and recover from the burn. The body often gets the extra energy it needs by breaking the protein in muscles down into amino acids. The amino acids are then made into new proteins. If too much muscle is broken down, it is harder for the body to function. This can make recovery slower or possibly lead to death.

For Healthy Volunteers, this study will require no more than 6 hours of time in total. This time will be spread out over two visits, a Screening Visit and a Scan Visit.

For Burn Patients, this study will require no more than 14 hours total. This time will be spread out over four visits-a screening visit and a maximum of 3 scan visits. A total of three PET scans will be done over a 2 year period.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Anticipated)

64

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Locations

    • Massachusetts
      • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
        • Massachusetts General Hospital
        • Contact:
        • Contact:
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Alan J Fischman, MD, PhD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Colleen M Ryan, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Robert L Sheridan, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Shawn P Fagan, MD

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

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Sampling Method

Probability Sample

Study Population

Healthy subjects and burn patients

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

FOR HEALTHY VOLUNTEERS

Healthy males and females 18-70 years of age.

Laboratory results within MGH-accepted normal range.

Within 20% of the ideal weight for their height.

Supine and standing blood pressure within the range of 110/60 to 150/90 mm Hg

Heart rate within the range of 46-90 beats/minute after 5 minutes of rest.

Subjects <40 years old with HCT >=24, age 40-60 with HCT >=27, age 60-70 with HCT >=30.

FOR BURN SUBJECTS:

Inclusion Criteria:

Burn Injury of >=5 % TBSA from any cause.

18 -70 years of age

Stable hemodynamic and cardiopulmonary states as judged by the attending surgeons in the burn unit.

Patient who is capable of giving full informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

FOR HEALTHY SUBJECTS Clinical evidence of physical or mental disease.

Clinically significant abnormality of the laboratory tests.

Known drug or alcohol dependence.

History of drug allergy

Taking standard prescription drugs within two weeks or investigational drugs within four weeks prior to the PET scan

Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic endocrine disorders Pregnant or lactating

FOR BURN SUBJECTS:

Pregnant or lactating females

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
Intervention / Treatment
1
16 healthy subjects will be studied. Each patient will undergo one PET Scan to measure muscle protein synthesis rate.
Healthy volunteers will undergo one PET Scan; bur patients will undergo a maximum of 3 PET scans over 2 years after injury; a maximum of 2 will be done while inpatient; one after d/c.
Other Names:
  • PET Scan
  • Muscle Protein Metabolism
2
48 burn patients will be studied. Each patient will have a maximum of 3 PET Scans, which will be done at different times during the first 24 months after injury. A maximum of 2 of these scans will be done while they are inpatient; one after discharge.
Healthy volunteers will undergo one PET Scan; bur patients will undergo a maximum of 3 PET scans over 2 years after injury; a maximum of 2 will be done while inpatient; one after d/c.
Other Names:
  • PET Scan
  • Muscle Protein Metabolism

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Ronald T Tompkins, MD, ScD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Shriners Burn Hospital- Boston

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.

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

November 1, 2009

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

January 1, 2010

Study Completion (Anticipated)

January 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

November 11, 2005

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

November 11, 2005

First Posted (Estimate)

November 15, 2005

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

August 13, 2009

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 12, 2009

Last Verified

August 1, 2009

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2005-P-001510
  • G P50 GM021700-28

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

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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