Treatment of Diabetic Nephropathy

Diabetic Nephropathy Clinical Trial

Status Terminated

Clinical Trial Summary

COX-2 is an enzyme that is found in several different tissues in the body. COX-2 appears to produce a substance called prostaglandins, mainly at sites of inflammation. Several drugs have been approved by the FDA that inhibit COX-2 such as celecoxib, or brand name Celebrex®. These drugs are primarily used in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis to decrease inflammation and pain. COX-2 inhibitors have been developed because they are more selective in treatment of inflammation and pain and tend to have fewer gastrointestinal side effects than NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, etc.

The normal adult kidney expresses COX-2 in various regions. Prostaglandins, which are produced in the kidney by COX-2, may contribute to glomerular and tubulointerstitial inflammatory diseases (types of kidney diseases due to inflammation). In some animal studies, COX-2 inhibitors have been shown to be potentially beneficial in reducing the amount of protein spilled in the urine and preserving kidney function with these inflammatory kidney diseases. This study will compare the effects of COX-2 inhibitor to placebo (an inactive substance) in patients with diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease due to diabetes) and proteinuria (spilling protein in the urine) on 24-hour urinary protein excretion.

This study is designed to see whether COX-2 inhibitors are useful in treating diabetic patients with kidney disease. The purpose of this study is a short-term pilot study that will allow the gathering of important data such as the ability to carry out the study and carry it out safely. Subjects with proteinuria and diabetic kidney disease already on ACE (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) inhibitor or ARB (Angiotensin Receptor Blocker) therapy (types of blood pressure medicines) will be randomized to a type of study in which each subject will serve as their own control. The study is set up so that each subject will receive either the COX-2 inhibitor or placebo for a period followed by a period of no drug and then followed by a period of receiving either the COX-2 inhibitor or placebo (whichever they did not receive the first period).

Clinical Trial Description

The study is designed with a screening period, a baseline period and a treatment period. The purpose of screening is to identify eligible subjects and to exclude ineligible subjects. A careful history and physical examination will be conducted to ensure that the subject meets all the inclusion criteria and does not meet any of the exclusion criteria. The screening period lasts from 2 days to 2 months in duration.

The baseline period is from 2 - 3 months in duration. During the first baseline visit, there is withdrawal of previously used angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor antagonists (if any) and the initiation of quinapril 20 mg daily therapy (or irbesartan --150 - 300 mg daily). The subject will then be seen as frequently as determined by the investigator for subject's safety. The purpose of the second baseline visit is to determine safety after the initiation of therapy quinapril 20 mg po per day (or irbesartan 150 - 300 mg per day). The purpose of third baseline visit is to insure that the subject meets all the inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria prior to randomization. In addition, it will be assured that the subject's blood pressure is at a safe level to proceed with randomization and the laboratory and urinary collections will be made.

Only those subjects who fulfill all inclusion and none of the exclusion criteria will proceed to randomization. Also, in order to proceed to the randomization phase of the study, the subject must have a blood pressure of less than or equal to 135/85mmHg.

The treatment phase will consist of 18 weeks. During the treatment phase, the subject will be followed for safety and efficacy. The subjects will be randomly assigned to COX-2 inhibitor for 6 weeks (1st 6 week cycle), washout 3 weeks, placebo 6 weeks (2nd 6 week cycle), washout 3 weeks or to placebo 6 weeks (1st 6 week cycle), washout 3 weeks, COX-2 inhibitor 6 weeks (2nd 6 week cycle), washout 3 weeks.

During baseline and treatment periods, interim visits will be held in order to address blood pressure control or other problems that the patient or the PI deems necessary for protocol adherence. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double-Blind, Primary Purpose: Treatment

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Diabetic Nephropathies
• Diabetic Nephropathy
• Kidney Diseases

• NCT number: NCT00065559
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
• Status: Terminated
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: April 2003
• Completion date: December 2004