SAMe to Treat Biliary Cirrhosis Symptoms
| Status: | Terminated |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Gastrointestinal |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Gastroenterology |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 21 - Any |
| Updated: | 4/21/2016 |
| Start Date: | July 2005 |
| End Date: | July 2008 |
S-Adenosyl Methionine for Symptomatic Treatment of Primary Biliary Cirrhosis
This study will examine the effect of S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) on itching and fatigue in
patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease of the small bile ducts in the liver.
Ursodiol, the only currently available treatment for biliary cirrhosis, does not cure the
disease, and many people continue to have symptoms or liver test abnormalities despite
treatment. SAMe is a naturally occurring substance found in most cells of the body. The
highest levels of the substance are produced by the liver, where it helps to rid the body of
toxins and breakdown products of metabolism. Studies in Europe suggest that SAMe may help
to: 1) decrease the fatigue and itching that are common in persons with liver problems, and
2) decrease levels of liver enzymes in the blood, suggesting that it may decrease the amount
of liver injury.
Patients 21 years of age or older with primary biliary cirrhosis who are taking ursodiol and
have symptoms of itching or fatigue may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened
with a medical history, physical examination, review of medical records, routine blood
tests, and a symptoms rating scale.
Participants stop all medications for itching 4 weeks before starting the study, but
continue to take ursodiol during the 42-week trial. On entering the study, patients are
assigned to take either SAMe or placebo tablets twice a day for 12 weeks. While taking the
medications, they are followed in the clinic every 2 weeks for the first month and then
every 4 weeks to fill out symptoms questionnaires and have a short medical evaluation and
blood tests. At the end of 12 weeks, treatment is interrupted for a 2-week "wash-out"
period, after which patients begin a 12-week crossover treatment; that is, patients who were
taking SAMe are switched to placebo, and those who were taking placebo are switched to SAMe.
After completing the second 12-week treatment course, patients come to the clinic at 4, 8,
and 12 weeks to fill out symptoms questionnaires and have a medical evaluation and blood
tests. At the last visit, patients are told which type of tablet they received during the
two courses of treatment. SAMe is available without prescription in many forms as an
over-the-counter medication.
patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, a disease of the small bile ducts in the liver.
Ursodiol, the only currently available treatment for biliary cirrhosis, does not cure the
disease, and many people continue to have symptoms or liver test abnormalities despite
treatment. SAMe is a naturally occurring substance found in most cells of the body. The
highest levels of the substance are produced by the liver, where it helps to rid the body of
toxins and breakdown products of metabolism. Studies in Europe suggest that SAMe may help
to: 1) decrease the fatigue and itching that are common in persons with liver problems, and
2) decrease levels of liver enzymes in the blood, suggesting that it may decrease the amount
of liver injury.
Patients 21 years of age or older with primary biliary cirrhosis who are taking ursodiol and
have symptoms of itching or fatigue may be eligible for this study. Candidates are screened
with a medical history, physical examination, review of medical records, routine blood
tests, and a symptoms rating scale.
Participants stop all medications for itching 4 weeks before starting the study, but
continue to take ursodiol during the 42-week trial. On entering the study, patients are
assigned to take either SAMe or placebo tablets twice a day for 12 weeks. While taking the
medications, they are followed in the clinic every 2 weeks for the first month and then
every 4 weeks to fill out symptoms questionnaires and have a short medical evaluation and
blood tests. At the end of 12 weeks, treatment is interrupted for a 2-week "wash-out"
period, after which patients begin a 12-week crossover treatment; that is, patients who were
taking SAMe are switched to placebo, and those who were taking placebo are switched to SAMe.
After completing the second 12-week treatment course, patients come to the clinic at 4, 8,
and 12 weeks to fill out symptoms questionnaires and have a medical evaluation and blood
tests. At the last visit, patients are told which type of tablet they received during the
two courses of treatment. SAMe is available without prescription in many forms as an
over-the-counter medication.
To assess the efficacy of S-adenosyl methionine (SAMe) in symptomatic relief of primary
biliary cirrhosis (PBC), we will treat up to 50 patients with either SAM-e (800 mg BID) or
placebo for 12 weeks in a cross-over, double-blind placebo-controlled study.
S-adenosyl methionine is a nutritional supplement which is available as an over-the-counter
formula and is used for treatment of depression and arthritic pain. SAMe is produced in
virtually all cells and participates in many biochemical pathways as a major methyl
contributor. Intracellular levels of SAMe are often decreased in advanced liver disease. At
present SAMe is undergoing extensive evaluation in a large multicenter, randomized
controlled trial as an adjunctive therapy of alcoholic liver disease. SAMe has also been
evaluated in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis and cholestasis of pregnancy with
promising effects of relieving pruritus and fatigue and improving serum liver associated
enzymes.
In this study, we will recruit patients with PBC who have pruritus or fatigue despite
therapy with ursodiol (the currently recommended therapy of PBC which is partially effective
in relieving pruritus and fatigue). After medical evaluation and a brief period of
monitoring, patients will be randomized to receive either SAMe or placebo given in oral form
in similar appearing capsules twice daily. Patients will be followed at regular intervals
for symptoms as monitored by validated questionnaires as well as for side effects and serum
biochemical and hematological tests. After 12 weeks, therapy will be withdrawn for 2 weeks
and patients will then be switched to the alternative capsules, either SAMe or placebo, for
another 12 weeks. The primary endpoints of therapy will be improvements in symptoms of
pruritus or fatigue or both. Secondary endpoints will be improvements in serum biochemical
liver related enzymes.
biliary cirrhosis (PBC), we will treat up to 50 patients with either SAM-e (800 mg BID) or
placebo for 12 weeks in a cross-over, double-blind placebo-controlled study.
S-adenosyl methionine is a nutritional supplement which is available as an over-the-counter
formula and is used for treatment of depression and arthritic pain. SAMe is produced in
virtually all cells and participates in many biochemical pathways as a major methyl
contributor. Intracellular levels of SAMe are often decreased in advanced liver disease. At
present SAMe is undergoing extensive evaluation in a large multicenter, randomized
controlled trial as an adjunctive therapy of alcoholic liver disease. SAMe has also been
evaluated in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis and cholestasis of pregnancy with
promising effects of relieving pruritus and fatigue and improving serum liver associated
enzymes.
In this study, we will recruit patients with PBC who have pruritus or fatigue despite
therapy with ursodiol (the currently recommended therapy of PBC which is partially effective
in relieving pruritus and fatigue). After medical evaluation and a brief period of
monitoring, patients will be randomized to receive either SAMe or placebo given in oral form
in similar appearing capsules twice daily. Patients will be followed at regular intervals
for symptoms as monitored by validated questionnaires as well as for side effects and serum
biochemical and hematological tests. After 12 weeks, therapy will be withdrawn for 2 weeks
and patients will then be switched to the alternative capsules, either SAMe or placebo, for
another 12 weeks. The primary endpoints of therapy will be improvements in symptoms of
pruritus or fatigue or both. Secondary endpoints will be improvements in serum biochemical
liver related enzymes.
- INCLUSION CRITERIA:
Age at entry at least 21 years old.
Pathologically diagnosed primary biliary cirrhosis (made by a liver biopsy performed
within 10 years of enrollment) with receipt of stable doses of ursodiol for at least 6
months before enrollment. The dose of urosodiol will be adjusted to achieve stable serum
liver enzymes levels.
Symptoms of itching or fatigue or both. The presence of symptoms will be verified by
medical history, symptom questionnaire and visual analogue scales (results greater than 20
mm) on at least two screening visits.
Written informed consent.
EXCLUSION CRITERIA:
Evidence of another form of liver disease.
Hepatitis B as defined as presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in serum.
Hepatitis C as defined by presence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA in serum.
Primary sclerosing cholangitis as defined by liver histology.
Wilson disease as defined by ceruloplasmin below the limits of normal and liver histology
consistent with Wilson disease.
Autoimmune hepatitis as defined by antinuclear antibody (ANA) of 3 EU or greater (ELISA)
and liver histology consistent with autoimmune hepatitis or previous response to
immunosuppressive therapy for autoimmune hepatitis.
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency as defined by alpha-1-antitrypsin level less than normal
and liver histology consistent with alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.
Hemochromatosis as defined by presence of 3+ or 4+ stainable iron on liver biopsy and
homozygosity for C282Y or compound heterozygosity for C282Y/H63D. Patients with iron
saturation indices of greater than 45% and serum ferritin levels of greater than 300 ng/ml
for men and greater than or equal to 250 ng/ml for women will undergo genetic testing for
C282Y and H63D.
Drug induced liver disease as defined on the basis of typical exposure and history.
Bile duct obstruction as suggested by imaging studies done within the previous six months.
Decompensated liver disease as defined by a Child-Pugh score of 7 or greater.
Significant systemic or major illnesses other than liver disease, including congestive
heart failure, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary disease with
hypoxia, renal failure, organ transplantation, serious psychiatric disease including
depression, malignancy and any other conditions that in the opinion of the investigator
would preclude treatment. Patients who are suffering from severe depression defined by a
score of greater than or equal to 25 in CES-D screening test will not be eligible for
enrollment.
Known HIV infection.
Active substance abuse, such as alcohol, inhaled or injection drugs within the previous
one year.
Pregnancy, lactation or inability to practice adequate contraception in women in child
bearing age.
Evidence of hepatocellular carcinoma as shown by a liver mass on imaging studies or
alphafetoprotein levels greater than 200 ng/ml.
Any other condition, which in the opinion of the investigators would impede competence or
compliance or possibly hinder completion of the study.
History of hypersensitivity reactions to S-adenosyl methionine.
Serum creatinine greater than 1.5mg/dl in men and greater than 1.4 mg/dl for women.
We found this trial at
1
site
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
Bethesda, Maryland 20892
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