Anaplerotic Therapy in Propionic Acidemia

January 17, 2015 updated by: Nicola Longo

Safety & Efficacy of Investigational Products: Ornithine Alpha-ketoglutarate, Glutamine, or Disodium Citrate on Hyperammonemia in Propionic Acidemia.

The objective of this project is to define whether nutritional supplements (ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamine, or citrate) capable of filling-up the citric acid cycle (anaplerotic therapy) can improve hyperammonemia, glutamine levels, and outcome in patients with propionic acidemia. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, glutamine, and citrate are commonly used as nutritional supplements specially by athletes to increase muscle strength. They can be mixed with formula or other foods.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Propionic acidemia is caused by deficiency of propionyl CoA carboxylase that impairs the supply of succinyl CoA to the citric acid (Krebs) cycle. The Krebs cycle is responsible for obtaining energy from food in the form of ATP. ATP is essential for muscle contraction and correct functioning of all organs including the hearth, the kidney, and the pancreas.

Patients with propionic acidemia develop hyperammonemia at birth that recurs during episodes of metabolic decompensation. We found that plasma levels of the amino acids glutamine/glutamate are reduced in patients with propionic acidemia and decrease, rather than increase (like in urea cycle defects or other types of hyperammonemia) with hyperammonemia. Since alpha-ketoglutarate is the main source of endogenous glutamate/glutamine synthesis, our hypothesis is that chronic hyperammonemia and progressive dysfunction of multiple organs in patients with propionic acidemia is due to a functional insufficiency of the citric acid (Krebs) cycle with defective production of alpha-ketoglutarate. The basic deficiency of intermediates of the Krebs cycle can decrease production of ATP and explain the low muscle tone, progressive organ dysfunction, and poor long-term outcome of patients with propionic acidemia.

To test this hypothesis, we will test whether dietary supplementation with alpha ketoglutarate precursors (in the form of ornithine alpha ketoglutarate, glutamine or citrate) can improve plasma ammonia and overall outcome in patients with propionic acidemia. In this study, a limited number of patients (3) with propionic acidemia will be given the 3 different nutritional supplements and studied at regular intervals to see whether their glutamine/glutamate levels improve and if they have fewer episodes of hyperammonemia or acute decompensation. The supplement that produces the best increase in plasma glutamine levels will be tested for an additional 30 weeks. Children's development and motor skills will be tested before and after therapy to see if there is any improvement. The study will be conducted on outpatients at the University of Utah Clinical Research Center. If the initial trial is successful, we will try to launch a national trial involving multiple centers in the US and abroad to involve the largest number of patients possible.

The current therapy of propionic acidemia is based on restriction of precursors of propionic acid (methionine, valine, isoleucine, threonine, odd chain fatty acids, cholesterol) and administration of carnitine to help remove toxic organic acids. This therapy is not effective in preventing the long-term complications of the disease, even in children identified at birth by newborn screening. This research will test a completely new way of treating patients with severe and disabling metabolic disorders using replacement of downstream products involved in the generation of energy (ATP). This approach, if effective, could be extended to a number of other diseases, including other organic acidemias and mitochondrial disorders.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

3

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

    • Utah
      • Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, 84132
        • University of Utah, Department of Pediatrics

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

5 years to 12 years (Child)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Confirmed diagnosis of propionic acidemia (propionyl CoA carboxylase deficiency)

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Severe illness with cardiac or hepatic compromise that could affect study results
  • Use of other investigative therapies
  • Inability to comply with study directions

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: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: OKG, Glutamine, and Disodium Citrate
Ornithine Alpha Ketoglutarate for 4 weeks, followed by 2 week washout period. 4 weeks Glutamine, followed by 2 week washout period. 4 weeks Disodium Citrate, followed by 2 to 12 week washout period. Then continue an additional 30 weeks on Disodium Citrate (drug producing the best increment in plasma glutamine levels).
A dose of 400 mg/kg up to 16 g per day was selected. Split into 2 doses taken for 4 weeks. If determined the drug with the best effect, drug will be taken for 30 weeks.
Other Names:
  • OKG
A dose of 400 mg/kg up to 16 g per day was selected. Split into 2 doses taken for 4 weeks. If determined the drug with the best effects, drug will be taken for 30 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Glutamic Acid
Dose: 7.5 mEq/Kg or 658 mg/kg up to 16 g per day Split into 2 doses taken for 4 weeks. If determined the drug with the best effects, drug will be taken for 30 weeks.
Other Names:
  • Citric Acid Sodium Salt, Sodium Citrate

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Define safety and efficacy of nutritional therapy with these investigational products: L-Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, Glutamine, or disodium citrate (anaplerotic therapy) on hyperammonemia and outcome in patients with propionic acidemia.
Time Frame: end of study
end of study

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Time Frame
Define the effect of citrate, alpha-ketoglutarate and glutamine on plasma amino acids, acylcarnitines, ammonia, lactic acid and urine organic acids in patients with propionic acidemia.
Time Frame: end of study
end of study
Evaluate the effect of investigational products on the developmental quotient and medical complications in patients with propionic acidemia.
Time Frame: end of study
end of study

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Nicola Longo, MD, PhD, University of Utah

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

July 1, 2008

Primary Completion (Actual)

August 1, 2009

Study Completion (Actual)

February 1, 2010

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 25, 2008

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 27, 2008

First Posted (Estimate)

March 28, 2008

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimate)

January 21, 2015

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

January 17, 2015

Last Verified

January 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

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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