Alpha Lipoic Acid and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

June 28, 2013 updated by: University of California, San Francisco

The study will recruit 40 subjects with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) as defined by the NIH criteria. The subjects will be pre-screened for insulin sensitivity using fasting insulin and glucose levels and oral glucose tolerance test. The 20 most insulin resistant subjects will undergo measurements of in vivo insulin action by hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp. Body composition will be measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Plasma lipids and markers of oxidative stress will be measured. They will then receive open label controlled release alpha lipoic acid (CRLA) at 800 mg twice daily for 16 weeks. After treatment hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps, DEXA, plasma lipids and markers of oxidative stress will be repeated.

Hypotheses: LA will improve insulin sensitivity in PCOS subjects; LA will reduce oxidative stress, testosterone levels and improve cardiovascular risk factors.

Study Overview

Status

Completed

Detailed Description

Insulin resistance commonly occurs in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and may be responsible for many of the long term complications of PCOS. Patients with PCOS are at increased risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the metabolic syndrome (hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular disease). Data suggest that oxidative stress contributes to insulin resistance and thus inhibitors of oxidative stress improve insulin action. Alpha Lipoic Acid (LA) is synthesized in the liver and other tissues and is a key component of several mitochondrial enzyme complexes responsible for oxidative glucose metabolism and cellular energy production. When used pharmacologically, LA functions as a safe and effective antioxidant, recycling vitamins C and E,elevating glutathione levels,and lowering reactive oxygen species. Cell culture studies reveal that LA reverses the effects of oxidative stress and improving insulin action. Preliminary clinical data indicate that antioxidants may improve insulin resistance in PCOS patients. We propose, therefore, to study LA's effects on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake (insulin clamp) in a well characterized population of insulin resistant PCOS patients. Because these patients usually present in the adolescent and teenage years, the development of safe, long-term, treatment strategies are needed.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

22

Phase

  • Phase 1

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

    • California
      • San Francisco, California, United States, 94143
        • University of California at San Francisco

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 50 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Female

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • PCOS diagnosis
  • 18 years of age or older
  • Body Mass Index below 35
  • Willing to use any form of contraception for the duration of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diabetes
  • Pregnancy
  • Liver or heart disease or other health problems
  • Taking medications that affect insulin resistance

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

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Umesh Masharani, MD, University of California, San Francisco
  • Principal Investigator: Ira Goldfine, MD, University of California, San Francisco

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

March 1, 2006

Primary Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2010

Study Completion (Actual)

July 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

July 20, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 20, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

July 23, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

July 1, 2013

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 28, 2013

Last Verified

June 1, 2013

More Information

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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