Effectiveness of Arginine as a Treatment for Sickle Cell Anemia

SCD is an inherited blood disorder. Symptoms include anemia, infections, organ damage, and intense episodes of pain that are called "sickle cell crises." SCD is caused by an abnormal type of hemoglobin, which is a protein inside red blood cells that carries oxygen. In people with SCD, the abnormal hemoglobin distorts the shape of the red blood cells. This causes the red blood cells to clump together, decreasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the body's tissues. The reduced levels of oxygen can lead to sickle cell crises and tissue damage. Hemolysis, the destruction of red blood cells, is also a hallmark of SCD. During hemolysis, hemoglobin is released into the bloodstream, where it removes nitric oxide (NO), a natural chemical in the body that expands blood vessels. Arginase, another protein released during hemolysis, removes arginine from the bloodstream, which can also lead to decreased NO levels. The lack of NO constricts blood vessels, further contributing to painful sickle cell crises. Arginine supplementation may increase healthy hemoglobin and NO production and, in turn, prevent or reduce sickle cell crises. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of arginine at increasing NO levels, improving red blood cell function, and reducing hospitalizations and pain medication use in people with SCD.

This study will enroll children and adults with SCD. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive twice daily doses of either a low dose of arginine, a high dose of arginine, or placebo for 12 weeks. Study visits will occur at baseline, three times during Month 1, and Weeks 8, 12, 14, and 16. Each study visit will include an echocardiogram to measure heart activity, blood collection, and a medical history review to identify adverse events, pain medication usage, headaches, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations.

Inclusion criteria

• Established diagnosis of H SS or S-beta thalassemia
• History of at least one vaso-occlusive pain event in the 12 months prior to study entry
• Regular compliance with comprehensive medical care
• In a steady disease state and not in the midst of any acute complication due to SCD at study entry

Exclusion criteria

• Inability to take or tolerate oral medications
• Liver dysfunction (i.e., SGPT level greater than or equal to two times the normal limit and albumin level less than or equal to 3.2 g/dL)
• Kidney dysfunction ( i.e., creatinine level greater than or equal to 1.2 mg/dL for children and greater than or equal to 1.4 mg/dL for adults)
• Allergy to arginine
• Pregnant
• Received a blood transfusion within the 90 days prior to study entry
• More than 10 hospital admissions for pain in the 12 months prior to study entry
• Daily use of opioids and experiencing unstable pain that interferes with work or daily routine
• Required more than 3 hospital admissions and more than 10 emergency department/day hospital visits in the 12 months prior to study entry
• Received treatment with hydroxyurea within the 90 days prior to study entry
• Received treatment with any investigational drug in the 90 days prior to study entry