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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03509714

Oxaloacetate Supplementation for Emotional PMS

Emotional Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) affects millions of women worldwide. For Emotional PMS, including depression, anxiety, perceived stress and aggression, there are very few options. Recent observational data suggest that nutritional supplementation with oxaloacetate, a human energy metabolite, greatly reduced the symptoms of Emotional PMS. The aim of this study was to confirm these observations on the effects of oxaloacetate on Emotional PMS symptom severity within a controlled clinical trial setting.

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Key information

Conditions

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) Menstruation Disturbances Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Premenstrual Syndrome

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

Oxaloacetate is an energy metabolite found in every cell of the human body. It holds a key place in the Krebs Cycle within the mitochondria, providing energy to the cells. It is also a critical early metabolite in gluconeogenesis, which provides glucose for the heart and brain during times of low glucose. It is critical to human metabolism, proper cellular function and it is central to energy production and use in the body.

Oxaloacetate may affect Emotional PMS through multiple mechanisms. During PMS, there is a large increase in glucose utilization in the cerebellum of the brain in women who are affected with emotional mood swings. Oxaloacetate supplementation has been shown to support proper glucose levels in the body. Having an excess of oxaloacetate allows gluconeogenesis take place upon demand, thereby fueling the brain, and perhaps meeting cerebellum glucose need.

In addition to oxaloacetate's ability to support proper glucose regulation, oxaloacetate affects two chemicals in the brain, GABA and glutamate. Altering the GABA/Glutamate ratio can affect mood. Oxaloacetate supplementation can reduce glutamate levels in the brain via a process called "Glutamate Scavenging". In addition, oxaloacetate supplementation was shown to increase GABA levels in animal models. By both lowering glutamate and increasing GABA, the GABA/Glutamate ratio is affected, which may also help women with Emotional PMS.

This study will investigate oxaloacetate's effect on Emotional PMS using patient completed surveys to measure depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and aggression, and statistically compare these results against placebo (rice flour) and baseline measurements.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Women with Emotional Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS),
  • Women who speak English as their primary language
  • Women who understand the Human Consent Form
  • Ability to swallow capsules

Exclusion criteria

  • Formal diagnosis of clinical depression
  • Formal diagnosis of premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

Treatment and study plan

Jubilance (100 mg Oxaloacetate/150 mg Ascorbic Acid)

Dietary Supplement

2 Pills to be taken orally per day during their entire menstrual cycle

Other names: Jubilance for Emotional PMS

rice flour (Placebo)

Dietary Supplement

250 mg rice flour (Placebo)

Primary outcomes

  1. Depression associated with Emotional PMS

    Time frame: Change from baseline value to value after supplementation for entire menstrual cycle (about 28 days) for each study arm in cross-over design (3 data points compared 1 at baseline 1 after menstrual cycle 1 and 1 after menstrual cycle 2).

    Depression as measured during Emotional PMS with Beck's Depression Inventory Survey, which scores depression with 26 questions rated 0 to 3. Total score ranges from 0 to 78. Higher values indicate worse depression.

  2. Anxiety associated with Emotional PMS

    Time frame: Change from baseline value to value after supplementation for one entire menstrual cycle (about 28 days) for each study arm in cross-over design (3 data points compared 1 at baseline 1 after menstrual cycle 1 and 1 after menstrual cycle 2).

    Anxiety as measured during Emotional PMS with Generalized Anxiety Disorder Survey, which scores anxiety with 7 questions rated 0 to 3. Total score ranges from 0 to 21. Higher values indicate worse anxiety.

  3. Perceived Stress with Emotional PMS

    Time frame: Change from baseline value to value after supplementation for one entire menstrual cycle (about 28 days) for each study arm in cross-over design (3 data points compared 1 at baseline 1 after menstrual cycle 1 and 1 after menstrual cycle 2).

    Perceived Stress as measured during Emotional PMS with Cohen's Perceived Stress Survey, which scores perceived stress with 9 questions rated 0 to 4. Total score ranges from 0 to 36. Higher values indicate worse perceived stress.

  4. Aggression with Emotional PMS

    Time frame: Change from baseline value to value after supplementation for one entire menstrual cycle (about 28 days) for each study arm in cross-over design (3 data points compared 1 at baseline 1 after menstrual cycle 1 and 1 after menstrual cycle 2).

    Aggression as measured during Emotional PMS with Buss-Perry Aggression Scale, which scores depression with 29 questions rated 1 to 5. Total score ranges from 29 to 145. Higher values indicate worse aggression.

  5. Adverse Event Reporting

    Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 60 days (2 menstrual cycles)

    Safety of oxaloacetate supplementation in Emotional PMS patients

Secondary outcomes

  1. Suicidal Ideation with Emotional PMS

    Time frame: Change from baseline value to value after supplementation for one entire menstrual cycle (about 28 days) for each study arm in cross-over design (3 data points compared 1 at baseline 1 after menstrual cycle 1 and 1 after menstrual cycle 2).

    Suicidal Ideation as measured with a subscale of Beck's Depression Inventory, with a scale ranging from 0 to 3 in women who initially record suicidal ideation of greater than 0.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Terra Biological LLC

Industry

Registry information

Official study title

Oxaloacetate Supplementation for Emotional PMS; Measuring Improvements in Depression, Anxiety, Perceived Stress, and Aggression

Acronym: OAA4PMS

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Apr 26, 2018
Registry last updated
Apr 26, 2018

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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