N-Acetylcysteine and Arginine Administration in Diabetic Patients (NACARGPAO)

December 6, 2007 updated by: University of Turin, Italy

Effects of Arginine and N-Acetylcysteine Administration on Nitric Oxide Production and Arterial Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Diabetic Patients.

It has been demonstrated that the nitric oxide production is reduced in type 2 diabetic patients and that cardiovascular complications represent 80% of the causes of death in these patients. As nitric oxide is able to reduce platelet aggregation, increase the relaxation of smooth muscle cells, and reduce plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and endothelin, we hypothesized that nitric oxide deficiency is responsable for the cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Arginine and N-acetylcysteine, precursor and enhancer of the nitric oxide synthesis respectively, are able to increase nitric oxide production.

Aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of arginine and N-acetylcysteine administration on arterial blood pressure and different metabolic parameters in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension.

Subjects and methods. 24 male subjects, randomly divided in two groups, will be studied. These subjects will undergo a treatment with arginine (1200 mg once a day) plus N-acetylcysteine (600 mg twice a day) or placebo for six months. Basal and final evaluations include:

  • general examination
  • ABPM (ambulatory blood pressure monitoring)
  • HbA1c, total-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, oxidized LDLs, triglycerides, reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio in red blood cells, nitrites/nitrates, asymmetrical and symmetrical dimethyl-arginine, nitrotyrosine, arginine, homocysteine, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, intercellular and vascular-cell adhesion molecules, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and fibrinogen
  • the ultrasound assessment of the intima-media thickness after endothelium-dependent flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery

Expected results. Increase of nitric oxide production and reduction of arterial blood pressure and oxidative parameters.

Study Overview

Status

Terminated

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

24

Phase

  • Phase 4

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

  • Italy
      • Turin, Italy, 10126
        • "San Giovanni Battista" Hospital of Turin

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

40 years to 70 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male subjects
  • Age between 40 and 70 years
  • Type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension
  • Mean 24h arterial blood pressure after the wash-out period: systolic >136mmHg and/or diastolic >86 mmHh
  • Written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Female subjects
  • Mean 24h arterial blood pressure after the wash-out period: systolic >180 mmHg and/or diastolic >110 mmHg
  • Secondary hypertension
  • Significative cardiovascular complications of diabetes
  • Cancer or severe systemic, hepatic, pulmonary, cardiovascular or diseases
  • Actual treatment with nitrates, acetylcysteine or arginine
  • Acetylcysteine hypersensitivity
  • Psychiatric disturbs, abuse of drugs or alcohol
  • Low compliance
  • Absence of written informed consent

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: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: B
Drug: Arginine
1200 mg, once a day
Other Names:
  • Zentrum
Drug: Acetylcysteine
600 mg twice a day
Other Names:
  • Acetilcisteina
Placebo Comparator: A
Drug: Placebo
3 vials a day

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
arterial blood pressure decrease
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
oxidative parameters decrease
Time Frame: 6 months
6 months

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

University of Turin, Italy

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Valentino Martina, MD, University of Turin, Italy

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

January 1, 2005

Study Completion (Actual)

January 1, 2006

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

December 6, 2007

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 6, 2007

First Posted (Estimate)

December 7, 2007

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

December 7, 2007

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 6, 2007

Last Verified

December 1, 2007

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • EUDRACT 2004-004203-38

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.

Clinical Trials on Hypertension

Clinical Trials on Placebo

Search Similar Trials

Sponsors and Collaborators

Medical Conditions

Drug Interventions

CROs by country

CROs in Italy

Conditions

Rare Diseases

Drug Interventions

Dietary Supplements

Sponsor/Collaborators

Locations

Subscribe