Glycine Supplement for Severe COVID-19

August 2, 2022 updated by: Mario H. Vargas, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias

Controlled and Randomized Clinical Trial for Evaluating the Effect of a Supplement of Glycine as Adjuvant in the Treatment of COVID-19 Pneumonia in Patients Initiating Mechanical Ventilation

This study will explore whether a daily supplement of glycine, a substance that has antiinflammatory, cytoprotective, and endothelium-protecting effects, can improve mortality, as well as clinical and biochemical parameters, in patients with severe COVID-19 who initiate mechanical ventilatory support.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

Patients with severe forms of COVID-19 often develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with high levels of proinflammatory cytokines and damage of lungs and other organs. A special feature in these patients is thrombotic events in the micro- and macro-vasculature. Owing to the lack of a specific and efficient treatment against COVID-19, lowering of this "cytokine storm" is a further proposed strategy.

Glycine is the major agonist of glycine receptors (GlyR), which are chloride channels that hyperpolarize cell membranes of inflammatory cells such as macrophages and neutrophils, turning them less sensitive to proinflammatory stimuli. In addition, glycine possesses a cytoprotective effect, improves endothelial function, and diminishes platelet aggregation.

In laboratory animals, in a rat model of endotoxic shock a 5% glycine-rich diet lowers mortality, reduces pulmonary neutrophilic inflammation and hepatic lesions, and avoids elevation of serum TNF-alpha. In animal models of ischemia-reperfusion injury, glycine protects the gut and lungs.

In in vitro studies, glycine diminishes the expression and release of TNF-alpha and IL-6 from adipose tissue, 3T3-L1 cells, and alveolar macrophages, probably through inhibition of phosphorylation of NF-kappaB. Finally, glycine diminishes platelet aggregation.

In human beings, glycine has been used for many years for the management of some ailments. In diabetic patients, oral glycine reduces glycosylated hemoglobin levels and serum TNF-alpha, and in patients with cystic fibrosis glycine improves the clinical and spirometric status, and tend to lower serum TNF-alpha, IL-6 and G-CSF.

Glycine is a white microcrystal powder soluble in water, with a sweet taste and relatively low cost.

This controlled, randomized, two-branches clinical trial will recruit participants of any sex, any age, with COVID-19 confirmed (or awaiting confirmation) by PCR, that are to initiate (or with <48 h of) mechanical ventilation. After obtaining an informed consent, participants will be randomly assigned to two branches: 1) Experimental group, n=41 participants, that along with habitual management for their condition will receive 0.5 g/kg/day glycine divided in four doses every 6 h through nasogastric tube. 2) Control group, n=41 participants that will only receive habitual management. Pregnant women and subjects already participating in another study protocol will be excluded, and those with voluntary discharge or referenced to another institution will be discarded.

Blood samples for measurements of serum cytokines (Bio-Plex Human Cytokine 17-Plex, Bio-Rad) will be obtained at the beginning of the study and every 7 days thereafter.

The major outcome will be mortality. Secondary outcomes will be diminution of number of days under mechanical ventilation and evolution of PaO2/FiO2, proinflammatory and metabolic biomarkers, Sequence Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA), and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II).

Routine test such as arterial blood gases, blood chemistry, blood count, coagulation test, and ECG will also be analyzed by using the weighted average in certain time-periods (probably 7-days periods).

Group comparisons will be carried out by means of Fisher exact/chi-square tests and Student's t-/Mann-Whitney U-tests. Feasibility of multivariate analysis will be evaluated.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

59

Phase

  • Not Applicable

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

      • Mexico DF, Mexico, 14080
        • Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias

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

  • Child
  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Any age.
  • Any sex.
  • With COVID-19 confirmed (or awaiting confirmation) by PCR.
  • With a clinical decision of initiation of mechanical ventilation or with <48 h under mechanical ventilation.
  • Informed consent signed by the participant's responsible.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant women.
  • Already participating in another research protocol.

Elimination Criteria:

  • Voluntary hospital discharge or referenced to another institution.

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: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Glycine
Along with habitual treatment for their severe condition, participants will receive 0.5 g/kg/day glycine by nasogastric tube, divided in four equal doses in a day, since their enrollment and until they are weaned from mechanical ventilator or die.
Along with habitual treatment for their severe condition, participants will receive 0.5 g/kg/day glycine by nasogastric tube, divided in four equal doses in a day, since their enrollment and until they are weaned from mechanical ventilator or die.
No Intervention: Control
Participants will receive the habitual treatment for their severe condition.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Mortality
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of participants who die divided by number of subjects enrolled in the that study group.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Days under mechanical ventilation
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of days spent under mechanical ventilation.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
PaO2/FiO2 ratio
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Arterial pressure of oxygen divided by inspired fraction of oxygen.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Arterial plasma lactate
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Plasma concentration of lactate in arterial blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-1β
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 1β.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-2
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 2.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-4
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 4.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-5
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 5.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-6
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 6.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-7
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 7.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-8
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 8.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-10
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 10.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-12
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 12 (p70).
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-13
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 13.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IL-17
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interleukin 17A.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum G-CSF
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum GM-CSF
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of granulocyte monocyte colony stimulating factor.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum IFN-γ
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of interferon gamma.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum MCP-1
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCAF).
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum MIP-1β
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of macrophage inflammatory protein 1β
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum TNF-α
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of tumor necrosis factor alpha.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum creatinine
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of creatinine.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum alanine aminotransferase
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.

Serum concentration of alanine aminotransferase.

.

From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum aspartate aminotransferase
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.

Serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase.

.

From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum alkaline phosphatase
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of alkaline phosphatase.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum total bilirubin
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of total bilirubin.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum unconjugated bilirubin
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of unconjugated bilirubin.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum conjugated bilirubin
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of conjugated bilirubin
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum C reactive protein
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of C reactive protein.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Hemoglobin
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Blood concentration of hemoglobin.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Total leukocytes
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of white blood cells per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Neutrophils
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of neutrophils per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Lymphocytes
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of lymphocytes per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Monocytes
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of monocytes per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Eosinophils
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of eosinophils per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Basophils
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of basophils per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Platelets
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Number of platelets per µl blood.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Prothrombin time
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Time that blood takes to clot.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum PAI-1
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Serum concentration of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1).
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
SOFA score
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Sequence Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, composed by assessment of PaO2/FiO2 ratio, Glasgow coma scale, mean arterial pressure, bilirubin, and platelets.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
APACHE II score
Time Frame: From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.
Acute Physiology And Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score, composed by assessment of AaDO2 or PaO2, temperature, mean arterial pressure, pH arterial, heart rate, respiratory rate, sodium, potassium, creatinine, hematocrit, white blood cell count, Glasgow coma scale.
From date of enrollment and until the date of weaning from ventilator or death, whichever came first, assessed up to 12 months.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Mario H Vargas, MSc, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias

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)

June 15, 2020

Primary Completion (Actual)

June 14, 2021

Study Completion (Actual)

June 14, 2021

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 18, 2020

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

June 19, 2020

First Posted (Actual)

June 23, 2020

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 4, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

August 2, 2022

Last Verified

August 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Yes

IPD Plan Description

IPD can be shared on a reasonable basis and after authorization from the Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias' IRB.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

From publication of results in a scientific journal onward.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Reasonable request by E-mail (mhvargasb@yahoo.com.mx)

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • Study Protocol
  • Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP)
  • Informed Consent Form (ICF)
  • Clinical Study Report (CSR)
  • Analytic Code

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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