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Completed

NCT Number: NCT00641758

Pycnogenol and Endothelial Function in Coronary Artery Disease

Pycnogenol® is a proprietary bark extract of the French maritime pine tree (Pinus pinaster ssp. atlantica). Pycnogenol® has prevented pathologic symptoms such as chronic inflammation and increased platelet aggregation, a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. The endothelium is increasingly recognized not only a target (with vascular remodelling occurring in response to an injury and resulting in atherosclerosis), but also a mediator in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Indeed, endothelial cells play an important regulatory role in the cardiovascular system by the expression of numerous molecules and release of mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), superoxide and endothelin-1 (ET-1). Data from animal studies, as well as human studies indicate that Pycnogenol may improve endothelial function, which is a powerful surrogate for clinical prognosis.

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Key information

Conditions

Coronary Artery Disease Arterial Occlusive Diseases Arteriosclerosis Cardiovascular Diseases Coronary Disease Heart Diseases Myocardial Ischemia Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Zurich

Zurich, 8091, Switzerland

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • History of coronary artery disease (documented by coronary angiogram, nuclear imaging, positive stress test)
  • Stable cardiovascular medication for at least 1 month
  • Age ≥ 18 years of age at time of signing the informed consent
  • Informed consent for participation in the study

Exclusion criteria

  • Myocardial infarction, unstable angina, stroke (within 3 months before randomization)
  • Thoracic or cardiac surgery and/or coronary intervention/revascularisation procedure (within 3 months before randomization)
  • Uncontrolled symptomatic congestive heart failure (NHYA> II) in the last 4 weeks prior to study
  • Renal insufficiency (Creatinine Clearance < 50ml/min)
  • Ventricular tachyarrhythmias
  • Poorly controlled hypertension, defined as resting blood pressure ≥ 160/100 mmHg
  • Symptomatic hypotension
  • Obstructive cardiomyopathy, active myocarditis, constrictive pericarditis, untreated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism and adrenal insufficiency
  • Severe uncorrected valvular disease or left ventricular outflow obstruction, which, in the opinion of the investigator, requires surgery
  • Long acting nitrates
  • Oral or intravenous steroids therapy
  • Insulin - dependent diabetes mellitus
  • Recipient of any major organ transplant (eg, lung, liver, heart) or renal replacement therapy
  • Malignancy (unless healed or remission > 5 years)
  • Anaemia (Hb< 10g/dl)
  • Known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive or active virus - hepatitis
  • Alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) > 3 times the upper limit of the normal range
  • Known hypersensitivity to Pycnogenol®
  • Alcohol, nicotine abuse or illicit drug abuse
  • Pregnancy or breast-feeding, women with child - bearing potential without adequate contraception
  • Disease with systemic inflammation (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, M. Crohn)
  • Participation in another study within the last month

Treatment and study plan

Pycnogenol

Drug

Pycnogenol 100mg twice daily

Placebo

Drug

Placebo 100mg twice daily

Primary outcomes

  1. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of treatment with Pycnogenol® on endothelial function in subjects with stable coronary artery disease.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Secondary outcomes

  1. Secondary objectives are to evaluate the effect of 8 weeks treatment with Pycnogenol® on inflammation markers, oxidative stress parameters, endothelial progenitor cells, platelet function, 24 hours blood pressure and baroreflex function.

    Time frame: 8 weeks

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Zurich

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled, Cross - Over Design, Single Center Study to Evaluate the Effects of Treatment With Pycnogenol® on Endothelial Function in Subjects With Stable Coronary Artery Disease (Pycno2007-003)

Important dates

Study start
2008
Primary completion
2009
Study completion
2009
First posted
Mar 24, 2008
Registry last updated
Feb 10, 2010

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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