Study MIPAE - Melatonin and Essential Arterial Hypertension (MIPAE)

February 16, 2022 updated by: Rita Rezzani, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia

Melatonin and Essential Arterial Hypertension

Study MIPAE - Melatonin and essential arterial hypertension.

Study with dietary supplement, prospective and monocentric (randomized control trial). 1 mg/day of melatonin has been administered for one year to a group of patients suffering from essential hypertension (from at least one year) and who are already on antihypertensive therapy. This group has been compared with as many hypertensive patients on antihypertensive therapy to whom melatonin has not been administered. Each of the participants have been evaluated at the beginning of the study and after one year considering:

  • systolic and diastolic blood pressure;
  • echocardiographic values (Vivid Q, GE Healthcare);
  • applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor, AtCor Medical);
  • peripheral arterial tonometry (EndoPAT-2000, Itamar);
  • melatonin levels and total circulating antioxidant capacity after peripheral venous blood sampling.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the antioxidant and vasoprotective effects of melatonin, evaluating both plasma changes and directly studying the possibility of a real remodeling and improvement of cardiac structures.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Hypertension is a pathological condition characterized by a constant and not occasional increase in systolic and diastolic blood pressure values. This pathology represents one of the most important public health problems in industrialized countries, as it affects more than 25-30% of the adult population and can cause serious and even fatal complications. It is in fact considered the major risk factor of mortality and pathological effect at cardiovascular, encephalic and renal level.

The classification of hypertension suggested by the ESC/ESH Guidelines defines diastolic blood pressure (PAD) values of 80-84 mmHg and systolic blood pressure (PAS) values of 120-129 mmHg as "normal" in a healthy adult. Blood pressure values between 90-99 mmHg (PAD) and 140-159 mmHg (PAS) define grade 1 hypertension.Between 100-109 mmHg (PAD) and 160-179 mmHg (PAS) define grade 2 hypertension. For values above 110 mmHg (PAD) and 180 mmHg (PAS), determine grade 3 hypertension (after 60 years of age slightly higher values are accepted). Although many antihypertensive drug therapies exist today, patients often show a lack of response to pharmacological treatment due to numerous factors of both genetic and environmental nature that contribute to determine the clinical picture and the poor response to the set therapeutic regime. Recent studies aimed at clarifying the pathophysiology of resistant hypertension are highlighting new pathophysiological mechanisms potentially involved in the genesis of this clinical condition. Since essential hypertension and vascular and cardiac dysfunctions seem to be closely related, the identification of molecules/substances that can at least help to reduce the alterations induced by the pathogenetic process of essential hypertension is a priority. In recent years, melatonin has shown important and interesting antihypertensive therapeutic potential. It has also been demonstrated by some authors of this project, in an animal model of arterial hypertension, that melatonin, thanks to its antioxidant properties, is able to regress structural alterations of both the aorta and small mesenteric resistance arteries in an animal model of arterial hypertension.

It is therefore necessary to investigate, also in humans, the correlation among essential arterial hypertension, levels of circulating melatonin and onset of cardiovascular events.

Furthermore, it is of fundamental importance to remember that, to date, following treatment with melatonin, even at high doses, show only rare and minimal adverse effects, including daytime drowsiness, dizziness and headaches.

The aim of the study was, therefore, to evaluate the antihypertensive, antioxidant and vasoprotective effects of melatonin in adult patients suffering from at least 1 year essential hypertension and in antihypertensive therapy. In a broad sense, the aim will be to contribute to current knowledge in terms of effective treatment and reduced impact of cardiovascular changes related to hypertension.

To do this, a total of 23 adult patients (mean age 54 years old) suffering from essential arterial hypertension and undergoing concurrent antihypertensive therapy were enrolled by the Cardiology Unit of the Spedali Civili di Brescia (Italy). The participants were randomly divided into a group to which melatonin was administered orally (1 mg/day for one year - "melatonin" group). This group of patients was then compared with a group of hypertensive patients on antihypertensive therapy who did not take melatonin ("control" group). In particular, patients with essential hypertension for at least 1 year were selected and enrolled.

With regard to the number of samples, reference has been made to recent studies conducted at our Institute. The sample size (alpha 0.05, power 80%) needed to catch a 2 tissue strain modification of the ascending aorta is 6.2% of the longitudinal 2D strain of the left ventricle 21, 0.1 of VAC is 10, 0.25 of RH-PAT index 17, 0.5 m/s in cfPWV is 12. In addition, patients after enrolment have been randomized 1:1 in the two groups; randomization by random number generation minimizes selection prejudices/errors in subdivising into groups and allows to better evaluate the possible effects of melatonin treatment on hypertensive patients (on antihypertensive therapy) compared to hypertensive patients (on antihypertensive) therapy who have not taken melatonin, while the other variables and the analysis to be performed have been kept constant.

All patients with essential hypertension (in antihypertensive therapy) enrolled in the study received the informed consent document and the information document together with clear and understandable explanations/information about the study. In addition, the investigating physician is available to enlisted patients for all necessary information and also for any subsequent questions/curiosities, as well as for the reporting of any adverse effects that he or she undertakes to notify promptly.

In addition, the supply of melatonin tablets required for 30 ± 3 days of treatment (35 tablets of 1 mg melatonin) have been delivered by the investigating physician only to patients enrolled in the "melatonin" group at the time of enrolment and for the following 11 months of the trial.

At the time of enrolment, the investigator has also provided all enlisted subjects a diary on which to record the time of melatonin intake (only for the "melatonin" group), the number of hours of sleep at night, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure values measured weekly by the patient himself and the onset of any adverse effects. At the end of the study, the investigator collected the diaries of all patients enrolled in the study in order to analyze and archive the data together with the evaluation of the previous medical history.

At the beginning of the study and after one year, the patients were evaluated during a medical examination considering:

  • blood pressure (weekly evaluation carried out by the patient and monthly check-up carried out by the investigating doctor during meetings with the patient);
  • heart rate;
  • endothelial parameters: RHI, LnRHI, peripheral AIx@75;
  • arterial stiffness parameters: central blood pressure, AIx@75 radial, cfPWV, SEVR;
  • echocardiographic parameters: dimensions of atria and ventricles, stenosis and valve insufficiencies, systolic function VS (FE) and VD (TAPSE, FAC, S' TSI), diastolic function VS and VD (E/A, DT, E/E', E'/A'), dimensions and elastic properties of the ascending aorta (compliance, distensibility, stiffness index, elastic modulus of Peterson, PWV, M-mode strain, tissue strain), elongated aortic (Ea) and ventricular telediastolic sinintra (Ees), ventricular-arterial coupling (VAC=Ea/Ees), 2D longitudinal/radial/circonferential strain of VS, longitudinal strain of VD and left atrium (LAA and LAS), torsion of VS;
  • laboratory parameters: blood melatonin levels and total circulating antioxidant capacity.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Anticipated)

23

Phase

  • Phase 2

Contacts and Locations

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

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Italy
      • Brescia, Italy, 23125
        • Recruiting
        • Anatomy and Physiopathology Division, Department of Experimental and Clinical Sciences, University of Brescia (Italy), Viale Europa 11, 25123 Brescia, Italy
        • Contact:
        • Contact:

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 50 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Caucasian race;
  • Age 40-50;
  • Signed written informed consent
  • Normal weight;
  • Blood pressure: PAD >90 mmHg and PAS >140 mmHg;
  • Blood pressure in the above mentioned range from at least 1 years
  • Fasting blood sugar < 100 mg/dL;
  • Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL and triglycerides < 150 mg/dL;
  • Intake of antihypertensive therapies (except nitrates, statins and β-blockers);
  • Non-smoking;
  • No night shift workers (at least in the last 3 months before recruitment);
  • With a regular sleep/wake rhythm;
  • No pregnant/nursing women.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Blood pressure: PAD <90 mmHg and PAS <140 mmHg
  • Heart disease of any kind;
  • Autoimmune or rheumatological or vascular diseases other than essential hypertension;
  • Anti-hypertensive therapies with nitrates, statins or β-blockers;
  • Pregnancy/nursing;
  • < 40 or > 50 years;
  • Worker with night shifts (for a period of less than 3 months before recruitment);
  • Continuous irregular sleep/wake rhythm.

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
No Intervention: Control group
Group of essential hypertensive patients who have received no additional therapies in addition to their established treatment plan (each patient was on specific antihypertensive therapy that has not been changed).
Active Comparator: Melatonin treated group
Group of essential hypertensive patients who have received additional therapies consisting in 1 mg/day of melatonin for 1 year, in addition to their established treatment plan.
Drug: Melatonin
Supplementation with 1 mg/day of melatonin for 1 year

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Blood pressure.
Time Frame: Baseline.
Value of ambulatory blood pressure obtained from the mean of three different misurations.
Baseline.
Heart rate.
Time Frame: Baseline.
Ambulatory recorder of the heart rate of the patient.
Baseline.
Endothelial parameters.
Time Frame: Baseline.
PAT signals were obtained using the EndoPAT-2000 device, which has been vali-dated and used previously to assess peripheral arterial tone in other populations. Endothelial function is measured via a reactive hyper-emia (RH) protocol: it consists of a 5 minutes baseline mea-surement, after which a blood pressure cuff on the test arm isinflated to 60 mm Hg above baseline systolic BP or at least200 mm Hg for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, the cuff is deflated, and the PAT tracing isrecorded for a further 5 minutes. The cal-culated ratio is called RH-PAT index or RH index (RHI).
Baseline.
Arterial stiffness parameters.
Time Frame: Baseline.
The radial artery waveform was recorded using the SphygmoCor system. The tip of the tonometer was pressed gently against the radial artery at the site of maximum pulsation at the wrist. This micromanometer precisely records pressure within the artery. he augmentation pressure is defined as the height of the late systolic peak above the inflection point. Augmentation index is expressed as a percentage of PPAO. Augmentation index is a measure of the stiffness of the arterial walls, namely pulsatile load. Because there is a linear relationship between it and heart rate (HR), augmentation index was standardized to a HR of 75 bpm (AIx@75).
Baseline.
Echocardiographic parameters.
Time Frame: Baseline.
Bi-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were performed using Vivid 9 and Vivid Q (GE Medical HealthCare, USA) with a probe of 3.5 MHz, to assess LV dimensions and systolic function, according to the guidelines. The main points were: the dimensions of atria and ventricles, stenosis and valve insufficiencies, systolic and diastolic function VS and VD, Dimensions and elastic properties of the ascending aorta (compliance, distensibility, stiffness index, elastic modulus of Peterson, PWV, M-mode strain, tissue strain).
Baseline.
Plasmatic melatonin levels.
Time Frame: Baseline.
Obtained with ELISA laboratory test.
Baseline.
Total circulating antioxidant capacity in plasma.
Time Frame: Baseline.
Obtained with ELISA laboratory test.
Baseline.
Blood pressure.
Time Frame: 1 year.
Ambulatory blood pressure obtained from the mean of three different misurations.
1 year.
Heart rate.
Time Frame: 1 year.
Ambulatory recorder of the heart rate of the patient.
1 year.
Endothelial parameters.
Time Frame: 1 year.
PAT signals were obtained using the EndoPAT-2000 device, which has been vali-dated and used previously to assess peripheral arterial tone in other populations. Endothelial function is measured via a reactive hyper-emia (RH) protocol: it consists of a 5 minutes baseline mea-surement, after which a blood pressure cuff on the test arm isinflated to 60 mm Hg above baseline systolic BP or at least200 mm Hg for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, the cuff is deflated, and the PAT tracing isrecorded for a further 5 minutes. The cal-culated ratio is called RH-PAT index or RH index (RHI).
1 year.
Arterial stiffness parameters.
Time Frame: 1 year.
The radial artery waveform was recorded using the SphygmoCor system. The tip of the tonometer was pressed gently against the radial artery at the site of maximum pulsation at the wrist. This micromanometer precisely records pressure within the artery. he augmentation pressure is defined as the height of the late systolic peak above the inflection point. Augmentation index is expressed as a percentage of PPAO. Augmentation index is a measure of the stiffness of the arterial walls, namely pulsatile load. Because there is a linear relationship between it and heart rate (HR), augmentation index was standardized to a HR of 75 bpm (AIx@75).
1 year.
Echocardiographic parameters.
Time Frame: 1 year.
Bi-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic examinations were performed using Vivid 9 and Vivid Q (GE Medical HealthCare, USA) with a probe of 3.5 MHz, to assess LV dimensions and systolic function, according to the guidelines. The main points were: the dimensions of atria and ventricles, stenosis and valve insufficiencies, systolic and diastolic function VS and VD, Dimensions and elastic properties of the ascending aorta (compliance, distensibility, stiffness index, elastic modulus of Peterson, PWV, M-mode strain, tissue strain).
1 year.
Plasmatic melatonin levels.
Time Frame: 1 year.
Obtained with ELISA laboratory test.
1 year.
Total circulating antioxidant capacity in plasma.
Time Frame: 1 year.
Obtained with ELISA laboratory test.
1 year.

Collaborators and Investigators

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

Sponsor

Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale degli Spedali Civili di Brescia

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)

February 2, 2018

Primary Completion (Anticipated)

July 14, 2022

Study Completion (Anticipated)

August 1, 2022

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 6, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 16, 2022

First Posted (Actual)

February 25, 2022

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

February 25, 2022

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 16, 2022

Last Verified

February 1, 2022

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NP 2717

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

Yes

IPD Plan Description

Scientific publication in an international peer-reviewed journal

IPD Sharing Time Frame

illimited

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

upon request

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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