Antioxidant Therapy to Reduce Inflammation in Sickle Cell Disease
Summary
The purpose of this study is to determine whether alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine will lower systemic inflammation in patients with Sickle Cell Disease by reducing oxidative stress, which will result in a decrease in the frequency of vaso-occlusive pain episodes and improve their quality of life.
Description
People with sickle cell disease have more inflammation (a response of body tissues to injury or irritation) than people without sickle cell disease. This inflammation can be measured in the blood by checking the level of a protein called CRP as well as other changes we see in blood due to inflammation (such as changes in platelets and other cells). There is even more inflammation during sickle-related complications (like pain or acute chest syndrome). We want to test if inflammation in people with sickle cell disease can be reduced by the use of antioxidant compounds.
Antioxidants are nutrients (certain vitamins, minerals and enzymes) that can counteract the effects of oxidative stress arising from free radicals in our cells. The formation of free radicals is a normal cell process, but uncontrolled oxidative stress can cause problems for us. One such harmful problem is inflammation.
We know from other research studies that antioxidants help with some conditions related to inflammation. In this study the antioxidant being tested is a combination of alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine, both of which are natural parts of many of the foods we eat and are needed by our cells to make energy from food.
Study Design
Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Treatment
Conditions
Anemia, Sickle Cell
Intervention
alpha-lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine
Location
Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
Oakland
California
United States
94609
Status
Recruiting
Source
Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland
Results (where available)
Links
- Source: http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01054768
- Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on July 15, 2010
Medical and Biotech [MESH] Definitions
Hemoglobin, Sickle
An abnormal hemoglobin resulting from the substitution of valine for glutamic acid at position 6 of the beta chain of the globin moiety. The heterozygous state results in sickle cell trait, the homozygous in sickle cell anemia.
Hemoglobin Sc Disease
One of the sickle cell disorders characterized by the presence of both hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C. It is similar to, but less severe than sickle cell anemia.
Carnitine O-acetyltransferase
An enzyme that catalyzes the formation of O-acetylcarnitine from acetyl-CoA plus carnitine. EC 2.3.1.7.
Anemia, Sickle Cell
A disease characterized by chronic hemolytic anemia, episodic painful crises, and pathologic involvement of many organs. It is the clinical expression of homozygosity for hemoglobin S.
Gamma-butyrobetaine Dioxygenase
An enzyme that catalyzes the HYDROXYLATION of gamma-butyrobetaine to L-CARNITINE. It is the last enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of L-CARNITINE and is dependent on alpha-ketoglutarate; IRON; ASCORBIC ACID; and OXYGEN.
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PubMed Articles
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