Salsalate for Insulin Resistance in Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia Clinical Trial

Official title:

Salsalate for the Treatment of Insulin Resistance in People With Schizophrenia

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT01182727
• Other study ID #: HP-00046612
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: August 2010
• Est. completion date: December 2011

Study information

• Verified date: March 2022
• Source: University of Maryland, Baltimore
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Being obese is a common problem for people with schizophrenia. People with schizophrenia are more likely to be overweight compared to the general population. Being overweight is a major risk factor for developing type II diabetes. Approximately 15% of people with schizophrenia have type II diabetes. People with type II diabetes have problems with their body's insulin. Insulin is a hormone produced by the body to control blood sugar level. Obesity and type II diabetes are strong risk factors for heart disease. In type II diabetes the body does not respond to insulin correctly. Obesity, type II diabetes, and insulin resistance are all common states of inflammation. Inflammation is a reaction by the body to irritation, injury, or infection. Salicylates are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Aspirin is an example of a salicylate. These drugs work by decreasing the level of inflammation in the body. Salicylates have been shown to decrease inflammation and improve the body's response to insulin. Improving the body's response to insulin and decreasing inflammation could possibly reduce the risk of developing type II diabetes. Salicylates have been known for years to be effective for the treatment of diabetes. Salicylates increase the body's response to insulin causing blood sugar levels to decrease. Many salicylate drugs have side effects including stomach irritation and increased risk of bleeding. The drug for this study is called salsalate and is different from other salicylates. Salsalate has a lower bleeding risk than aspirin. Salsalate has been used to treat arthritis and has been shown to be safe. There have been no studies using salsalate in people with schizophrenia. The purpose of this study is to gain experience in the use of salsalate in people with schizophrenia. The study would be a pilot study to obtain preliminary data. The study would be a 6-week study where everyone in the study would receive the drug salsalate. The participants in the study will have tests of baseline symptoms of schizophrenia, a physical exam, EKG (to check heart function), and a side effect checklist for possible side effects from salsalate. The study will also have some blood drawn to measure blood sugar levels, insulin levels, and inflammatory markers.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 13
• Est. completion date: December 2011
• Est. primary completion date: November 2011
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• DSM-IV TR diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2
• Participant will be judged to be clinically stable
• Participants will be treated with the same antipsychotic for at least 90 days and will have received a constant therapeutic dose for at least 20 days prior to study entry. There will not be any restriction on the type of antipsychotic with which the participant is treated.
• Participants must be judged competent to participate in the informed consent process and provide voluntary informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Individuals with aspirin allergy.
• Individuals with pre-existing tinnitus.
• Individual with anemia or thrombocytopenia.
• Individuals with ongoing infections.
• Individuals with history of autoimmune disease.
• Individuals with peptic ulcer disease or gastritis.
• Individuals with weight loss greater than 5% over the past 6 months.
• Individuals currently taking immunosuppressive drugs including corticosteroids.
• Individuals taking anti-diabetic agents.
• Individuals taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (other than low dose aspirin).
• Individuals with organic brain disorder; mental retardation; or medical conditions whose pathology or treatment would alter the presentation or treatment of schizophrenia or significantly increase the risk associated with the proposed treatment protocol.
• Pregnant females.
• Individuals who meet DSM-IV TR criteria for alcohol or substance dependence (except nicotine) within the last 6 months.
• Individuals who meet DSM-IV TR criteria for alcohol or substance abuse (except nicotine) within the last month.

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Insulin Resistance
• Schizophrenia

Intervention

Drug:
• salsalate
Salsalate will be administered in 500 mg tablets. Salsalate will be administered in two divided doses of 2 grams in the morning and 2 grams in the evening. Salsalate will be administered for a total of 6 weeks. If a participant is not able to tolerate the target dose of 4 grams per day then 500 mg reductions will be made in a stepwise fashion until tolerated or a minimum dose of 2 grams per day is achieved.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United States	Baltimore VA Medical Center	Baltimore	Maryland
United States	Maryland Psychiatric Research Center	Baltimore	Maryland

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of Maryland, Baltimore	US Department of Veterans Affairs

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United States, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Side Effects of Salsalate	This Measure is reporting the number of participants with side effects as reported on the Side Effect Checklist used to monitor common medication side effects.	6 weeks