Study to Explore the Effects of Two Hour Inhalation of Ultrafine Carbon Black Particles on Airway Inflammation in Asthmatics

Asthma Clinical Trial

Official title:

Mono-Center, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study to Explore the Effects of Two Hour Inhalation of Ultrafine Carbon Black Particles Versus Filtered Air on Airway Inflammation Induced by Segmental Allergen Challenge in Asthmatics

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT00527462
• Other study ID #: 07/06 UFP-SFB DFG
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• First received: September 10, 2007
• Last updated: April 28, 2008
• Start date: September 2007
• Est. completion date: April 2008

Study information

• Verified date: April 2008
• Source: Fraunhofer-Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Health authority: Germany: Ethics Commission
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

The aim of the study is to test the hypothesis that the allergic airway inflammation in asthmatic patients will be enhanced after exposure to ultrafine particles (UFP). In order to test this in a controlled study, the researchers combine controlled exposure to carbon black model UFP with the well-established model of a segmental allergen challenge, which allows the researchers to safely induce circumscript allergic inflammation in the lung in mild asthmatics. The effect of the UFP on allergic inflammation will be controlled by an inhalation of clean air in a randomized, double-blind, crossover design.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 15
• Est. completion date: April 2008
• Est. primary completion date: April 2008
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: Both
• Age group: 18 Years to 45 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male and female subjects, aged 18-45 years.

• Women will be considered for inclusion if they are:

• Not pregnant, as confirmed by a pregnancy test and not nursing.

• Not of child-bearing capacity (i.e. physiologically incapable of becoming pregnant, including any female who is pre-menarchial or post-menopausal, with documented proof of hysterectomy or tubal ligation, or meets clinical criteria for menopause and has been amenorrheal for more than 1 year prior to the screening visit).

• Of child-bearing capacity and using a highly effective method of contraception during the entire study (vasectomised partner, sexual abstinence [the lifestyle of the female should be such that there is complete abstinence from intercourse two weeks prior to the first dose of study medication until at least 72 hours after treatment], implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, hormonal intrauterine devices [IUDs]).

• Physician diagnosis of mild intermittent seasonal asthma

• Non-smokers, or ex-smokers

• Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) > 80% of the predicted value

• Positive skin prick test for grass mix at or within 12 months prior to the screening visit

• Able and willing to give written informed consent to take part in the study

• Available to complete all study measurements

• Able to restrain from particle rich atmosphere (e.g. passive cigarette smoke) within 1 week before exposure to UFP or clean air

Exclusion Criteria:

• Infections of the respiratory tract within the last month

• Past or present disease which, as judged by the investigator, may affect the outcome of this study. These diseases include, but are not limited to, cardiovascular disease, malignancy, hepatic disease, renal disease, hematological disease, neurological disease, endocrine disease or pulmonary disease (including but not confined to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis or cystic fibrosis).

• Pathological findings in safety laboratory tests

• Subjects with clinically relevant infection or known ongoing clinically relevant inflammatory process

• Suspected hypersensitivity to any ingredients of the medication involved with bronchoscopy (bronchodilators, sedatives and local anaesthetics)

• Specific immunotherapy (SIT) within two years prior to the study

• Administration of oral, injectable, or dermal corticosteroids according to 9.2

• Neurological or psychiatric disease or history of drug or alcohol abuse which would interfere with the subject's proper completion of the protocol assignment

• Risk of non-compliance with study procedures

• Participation in another clinical trial 30 days prior to enrolment

• Suspected inability to understand the protocol requirements, instructions and study-related restrictions, the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study.

• Unlikely to comply with the protocol requirements, instructions and study-related restrictions; e.g., language problems, uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits, and improbability of completing the study

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator), Primary Purpose: Basic Science

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Asthma

Intervention

Procedure:
• Bronchoscopy
bronchoscopy with segmental allergen challenge

Other:
• Exposure to ultrafine carbon black particles
Exposure to ultrafine carbon black particles for 2 hours

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
Germany	Fraunhofer-Institut für Toxikologie und Experimentelle Medizin	Hannover	Niedersachsen

Sponsors (2)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Fraunhofer-Institute of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine	German Research Foundation

Country where clinical trial is conducted

Germany, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	difference of the number of total cells in bronchoalveolar lavage resulting in the comparison of allergenic versus control segments		24 hours	No