University of Milan
Pierachille Santus, MD, PhD
Different studies have suggested that COPD is associated with elevated alveolar NO and increased expression of NOS2 in alveolar walls, small airway epithelium and vascular smooth muscle. Furthermore, arginase activity in COPD is shown to correlate inversely with total NO metabolite in sputum and with pre- and post- bronchodilator FEV1; at the same time ADMA levels in serum is shown to be correlated with airway resistance and ADMA in COPD airways was documented to be able to shift the L-arginine metabolism towards the arginase pathway. As demonstrated in a guinea pig model, the arginase inhibition can shift the L-ornitine: L-citrulline ratio towards L-citrulline, preventing neutrophilia, mucus hypersecretion and collagen synthesis. Thus, increasing substrate availability for NOS by arginase inhibition or supplementation of L-arginine or L-citrulline or a combination thereof, may represent a window of opportunity in patients with COPD. The present study was constructed in order to investigate as a primary objective whether in symptomatic patients with COPD, daily bioarginine on top of chronic inhaled therapy can improve patients' respiratory symptoms and dyspnea during daily life activities. The secondary objective of the study is to determine whether there is any correlation between improvement in respiratory symptoms and distance walked at the 6MWT and lung function parameters. In order to do so, the investigators designed a multi center, interventional, prospective, randomized, controlled vs placebo, proof of concept study: COPD patients will be randomized to receive BioArginine twice daily on top of chronic inhaled therapy or to continue their chronic Inhaled therapy plus placebo for 6 weeks. In order to evaluate the impact on respiratory symptoms and dyspnea the CRQ (Chronic Respiratory disease Questionnaire) and the LCADL (London Chest Activities of daily Living) Scale, as well as the 6MWT, will be used.
COPD
Dyspnea
Argininemia
Arginine
Placebo
NA
Study Type : | INTERVENTIONAL |
Estimated Enrollment : | 152 participants |
Masking : | SINGLE |
Primary Purpose : | TREATMENT |
Official Title : | Improving Quality of Life and Daily Life Activities With Bioarginine in Patients With COPD: a Multicenter, Randomized, Controlled, Proof of Concept Study |
Actual Study Start Date : | 2023-01-18 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | 2023-12-31 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | 2024-01-31 |
Information not available for Arms and Intervention/treatment
Ages Eligible for Study: | 40 Years |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | ALL |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: |
Want to participate in this study, select a site at your convenience, send yourself email to get contact details and prescreening steps.
RECRUITING
L. Sacco Hospital
Milan, Italy, 20157