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Abdominal ObesityPhase 2NCT00675506

Effectiveness of Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone in Reducing Abdominal Fat in People Who Are Obese

A Phase 2 study testing Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-44 in people with Abdominal Obesity and Growth Hormone Deficiency, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

Obesity, a condition that occurs when a person has too much body fat, affects about 31% of people in the United States. It is associated with increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 55 years
Conditions the study is for
Abdominal Obesity, Growth Hormone Deficiency
What is being tested?
Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-44
Type of treatment
Injection or infusion
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
60 participants
Where
1 siteUnited States
Study dates
Jul 2008to Jan 2012
Phase
Phase 2
Are there results?
Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 55 years
  • All sexes
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2
  • Waist circumference greater than or equal to 102 cm in men and greater than or equal to 88 cm in women
  • Relative growth hormone (GH) deficiency, defined as a peak GH value of less than or equal to 8 ng/mL on Arginine-GHRH stimulation test
  • Hemoglobin level greater than 12.0 g/dL
  • Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase less than 2.5 times the upper limit of normal
  • Creatinine level less than 1.5 mg/dL
  • Follicle stimulating hormone less than 20 IU/L in women
  • Negative mammogram within 1 year of study entry for women older than 40 years of age

Who cannot join

  • Obesity due to a known secondary cause (e.g., Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism) or a history of gastric bypass procedure
  • Known hypersensitivity to GHRH 1-44 (TH9507)
  • Known history of diabetes, fasting blood sugar less than 125 mg/dL, or antidiabetic drug use
  • Using any weight lowering drugs
  • Using estrogen, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, testosterone, glucocorticoids, anabolic steroids, GHRH, GH, or insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) within 3 months of study entry
  • Changes in lipid lowering or antihypertensive regimen within 3 months of study entry
Show all 19Show fewer
  • Long-term illness, including anemia, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease
  • History of cancer (except patients with surgically cured basal cell or squamous cell skin cancers) or history of abnormalities on age appropriate malignancy screen, including mammography, colonoscopy, and prostate exam (or prostate specific antigen greater than 5 ng/mL)
  • History of hypopituitarism, pituitary surgery, pituitary/brain radiation, traumatic brain injury, or any other condition known to affect the growth hormone axis
  • History of any recent cardiovascular event, including heart attack, stroke, transient ischemic attack, unstable angina pectoris, or oxygen-dependent severe pulmonary disease, within 3 months of study entry
  • Clinical depression or other psychiatric illness that will not allow completion of the study as per investigator's judgement
  • History of or current eating disorder
  • History of recent alcohol or substance abuse (less than 1 year before study entry)
  • Positive pregnancy test or breastfeeding females and positive fecal occult blood test
  • Women of childbearing potential not currently using nonhormonal birth control methods, including barrier methods (e.g., IUD, condoms, diaphragms) or abstinence
  • Currently enrolled in another investigational device or drug trial(s) or has received other investigational agent(s) within 28 days of study entry
  • Any condition that would make this clinical trial detrimental to the patient, as judged by the patient's physician
  • History of noncompliance with other therapies
  • Any condition in which compliance with the study protocol is unlikely

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site
  • Massachusetts General Hospital

    Boston, Massachusetts, 02114

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Physiologic Effects of Long-Term GHRH1-44 in Abdominal Obesity

Obesity, a condition that occurs when a person has too much body fat, affects about 31% of people in the United States. It is associated with increased risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. Abdominal obesity, in particular, is also associated with low levels of growth hormone, a hormone that affects rate of growth and the way the body uses energy. Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) is a substance that makes the body naturally increase its own growth hormone levels. Administering GHRH to people who are obese may help return their growth hormone levels to normal and, in turn, may lead to reduced abdominal fat and improved cardiovascular function. This study will evaluate the effectiveness of synthetic GHRH in decreasing the amount of abdominal fat and improving cardiovascular function in people who are obese.

Read the detailed description

Obesity, defined as having a high amount of excess body fat, is one of the most wide-spread health problems of today. A variety of factors can lead to obesity. These factors include physical inactivity, family history and genetics, metabolism, and hormone imbalance. The excess body fat in obesity increases a person's risk of a number of life-threatening diseases, including heart disease, gall stones, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. People with abdominal obesity, where fat is stored predominantly around a person's midsection, are particularly prone to weight-related diseases. Studies have shown that administration of growth hormone to obese people reduces abdominal fat, but can be associated with adverse side effects. GHRH is a natural hypothalamic peptide that stimulates growth hormone release. GHRH may be able to normalize growth hormone levels, reduce abdominal fat, and lessen risk for cardiovascular disease in people who are obese, without the associated side effects of growth hormone administration. However, further study is needed on GHRH. This study will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of synthetic GHRH in decreasing the amount of abdominal fat and improving cardiovascular function in people who are obese.

Participation is this study will last 1 year from screening and will include 9 study visits. During Visit 1, participants will undergo screening tests that will include a medical history, a physical exam, body measurements, a blood draw, a urine test, a GHRH+Arginine stimulation test, an electrocardiogram (ECG), and a test for the presence of blood in stool. Eligible participants will return within the next 3 weeks for an inpatient clinic stay for Visit 2. Participants will be asked to keep a food record of all food consumed during the 4 days before the second visit. Visit 2 will include a physical exam, a medical and smoking history, a review of current medications, body measurements, an overnight blood draw, a body metabolism evaluation, an oral glucose tolerance test, and two questionnaires. Also during Visit 2, participants will be assigned randomly to treatment with active GHRH or placebo. Participants will then be taught how to give themselves injections of the study drug, which will be taken daily for 12 months. Participants will also receive a 1-month supply of study drug and will be supplied with refills in subsequent study visits. Upon starting treatment, participants will undergo more testing, including a whole body DEXA scan, abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan, carotid ultrasound, and ECG.

Visit 3 will occur at Week 2 of treatment and will include a review of study medications, questions about any side effects experienced, vital sign measurements, a blood draw, an ECG, and, if female, a urine test. Visits 4, 5, and 7 will be identical to Visit 3 and will occur at Months 1, 3, and 9 respectively. Visit 6 will occur at Month 6 and will be identical to Visit 2 but without the overnight blood draw. Visit 8 will occur at Month 12 and will be identical to Visit 2, except no further study drug will be dispensed. At Month 13, participants will complete the final study visit, which will include repeat tests from Visit 1.

Being tested
Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-44, Placebo
Keywords
Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone, Growth Hormone Pulse, Visceral Adipose Tissue, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness
Medical subject headings
Obesity, Abdominal, Dwarfism, Pituitary

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-44Drug

    Also called TH9507

    2-mg sub-cutaneous injections once daily for 12 months

  • PlaceboDrug

    2-mg sub-cutaneous injections once daily for 12 months

Study groups in NCT00675506
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
1ExperimentalParticipants will receive treatment with growth hormone releasing hormone 1-44 (TH9507).
Receives: Drug: Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-44
2Placebo comparatorParticipants will receive treatment with placebo medication.
Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Change in Visceral Adipose Tissue Volume

    Abdominal visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue were assessed using a single crosssectional slice from noncontrast computed tomography at the L4 level. The change in abdominal visceral adiposity between baseline and twelve months is reported.

    Measured: Measured at baseline and Months 6 and 12

Secondary outcomes (5)
  1. Change in Carotid Intima-media Thickness

    Carotid intima media thickness imaging of the common carotid artery was conducted using a high-resolution 7.5-MHz phased-array transducer (SONOS 2000/2500. The change of the carotid intima media thickness measurement between baseline and 12 months is reported.

    Measured: Measured at baseline and Months 6 and 12

  2. Change in Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol, High-density Lipoproteins [HDL] Cholesterol, Low-density Lipoproteins [LDL] Cholesterol, Triglycerides)

    Lipid Profile (total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins [HDL] cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins [LDL] cholesterol, triglycerides)was determined after an overnight fast. The change in lipid profile between baseline and 12 months is reported.

    Measured: Measured at baseline and Months 6 and 12

  3. Change in Glucose Tolerance as Measured by Oral Glucose Tolerance Test

    Glucose tolerance was determined after an overnight fast using standard 75 gram oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with glucose measured at timepoints 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120. Change in glucose tolerance (fasting and 2 hour OGTT) between baseline and twelve months is reported.

    Measured: Measured at baseline and Months 6 and 12

  4. Change in Growth Hormone Pulse Characteristics (Median Pulse Mass) as Assessed by Overnight Frequent Sampling of Growth Hormone

    Overnight frequent sampling of growth hormone levels was performed and characteristics of pulsatile secretion were determine using automated deconvolution (using AutoDecon software). Based on the deconvolution, the median pulse mass (in nanograms per millileter of growth hormone) was calculated. A positive number indicates an increase in median pulse mass between baseline and 12 months.

    Measured: Measured at baseline and Month 12

  5. Mitochondrial Function (Post-exercise Phosphocreatine Recovery [ViPCr]) by 31P-MRS

    Change in post-exercise phosphocreatine recovery [ViPCr] between baseline and 12 months (positive change indicates increase in the variable between baseline and 12 months). ViPCR is the initial rate of phosphocreatine recovery normalized based on participant effort. Greater ViPCr represents relatively better mitochondrial function.

    Measured: Measured at Baseline and Month 12

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted9 May 2008 (estimated)
  2. Study startJul 2008
  3. Primary completionJan 2012
  4. Study completionJan 2012

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 2
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Quadruple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
60 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT00675506
Sponsor's protocol ID
574
Other IDs
1R01HL085268-01A1
Status last verified
Nov 2017
First submitted
7 May 2008
Last updated
13 Dec 2017
Data monitoring committee
Yes

Publications

  • Stanley TL, Feldpausch MN, Murphy CA, Grinspoon SK, Makimura H. Discordance of IGF-1 and GH stimulation testing for altered GH secretion in obesity. Growth Horm IGF Res. 2014 Feb;24(1):10-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ghir.2013.11.001. Epub 2013 Nov 15.

    PubMed 24291224
  • Makimura H, Murphy CA, Feldpausch MN, Grinspoon SK. The effects of tesamorelin on phosphocreatine recovery in obese subjects with reduced GH. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Jan;99(1):338-43. doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-3436. Epub 2013 Dec 20.

    PubMed 24178787
  • Makimura H, Feldpausch MN, Rope AM, Hemphill LC, Torriani M, Lee H, Grinspoon SK. Metabolic effects of a growth hormone-releasing factor in obese subjects with reduced growth hormone secretion: a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2012 Dec;97(12):4769-79. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-2794. Epub 2012 Sep 26.

    PubMed 23015655

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Growth hormone releasing hormone (GHRH) 1-44 in people with Abdominal Obesity and Growth Hormone Deficiency, run by Massachusetts General Hospital at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 8 inclusion and 19 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 13 Dec 2017. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 Jan 2013). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Visceral Adipose Tissue Volume (time frame: Measured at baseline and Months 6 and 12). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT00675506, which also lists 3 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 13 Dec 2017.

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