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Polycystic Ovary SyndromePhase 4NCT02460380

The Effects of Vitamin D on Angiogenic Factors in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A Phase 4 study testing Vitamin D3 in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Vitamin D Deficiency, run by Maimonides Medical Center.

Completed

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

Official record
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Trial summary

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 5 to 10% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by a cluster of hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, menstrual dysfunction, hirsutism and infertility. Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 38 years, women only
What is being tested?
Vitamin D3
Type of treatment
Pill or oral medicine
Could I receive a placebo?
Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people
93 participants
Where
No sites listed yet
Study dates
Oct 2013to Mar 2015
Phase
Phase 4
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 38 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult

Who may be able to join

  • Women with PCOS who have vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D<20 ng/mL)

Who cannot join

  • Pregnant, postpartum, breast feeding
  • Taking Metformin, vitamin D, or any hormonal therapy

About this study

Official title: The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Transforming Growth Factor-beta1 and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Vitamin D-Deficient Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 5 to 10% of women of reproductive age. It is characterized by a cluster of hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, menstrual dysfunction, hirsutism and infertility. Although the pathogenesis of PCOS is unknown, accumulating evidence suggests that the dysregulation of some angiogenic factors, such as transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), may be implicated. TGF-βs and VEGF exert a diverse range of biological functions regulating cell proliferation, angiogenesis, fibroblast activation and tissue fibrosis. PCOS ovaries show all the hallmarks of TGF-β and VEGF upregulation, including increased collagen deposition in ovarian stroma and theca, supported by increased vascularity. Consistent with this, The investigators recently showed that TGF-β1 is increased in serum of PCOS women while its circulating receptor soluble endoglin (sENG) is decreased, resulting in greater TGF-β1 bioavailability. Furthermore, it has been shown that women with PCOS have increased VEGF levels in the serum and/or follicular fluid. PCOS patients also have decreased vitamin D levels, and vitamin D treatment has been previously shown to improve various clinical parameters in PCOS women, including glucose intolerance, hypertension and androgen levels. Interestingly, vitamin D has been shown to decrease TGF-β1 and VEGF levels in several diseases, including myelofibrosis and various human cancer cells. Therefore, the investigators hypothesize that vitamin D treatment of PCOS women will result in a decrease of serum TGF-β1 levels and/or VEGF levels concomitant with improvement in clinical disease parameters. In addition, the investigators hypothesize that improvement in clinical disease parameters will correlate with changes in serum VEGF levels and TGF-β1 bioavailability. Our aim in the present study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D treatment on serum VEGF and TGF-β1/sENG levels in PCOS women, and assess whether changes in these angiogenic factors following vitamin D treatment correlate with clinical disease in these women. For this end, PCOS patients who are vitamin D-deficient will be treated with vitamin D and their serum levels of VEGF, TGF-β1 and its sENG receptor will be measured before and after treatment. In addition, clinical disease parameters will be recorded before and 4 months after treatment, including serum glucose and insulin levels, serum androgen levels, and blood pressure.

The proposed study aims to identify a putative link between vitamin D, VEGF, and TGF-β1 in the context of PCOS, and provide a novel molecular explanation for the beneficial clinical effects of vitamin D on PCOS patients.

Read the detailed description

This study is a randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of vitamin D on vitamin D-deficient women with PCOS. 93 reproductive-aged women diagnosed with PCOS presenting to Maimonides Medical Center for annual check-up between October 2013 and March 2015 were screened for vitamin D deficiency (defined as 25 hydroxy-vitaminD [25OH-D] levels <20 ng/mL). All participants signed the informed consent and the study was approved by the international review board (IRB) of Maimonides Medical Center. PCOS was diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus (ESHRE/ASRM criteria), i.e. the presence of two of three criteria: oligo- or anovulation, signs of clinical hyperandrogenism, and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism and polycystic ovaries on ultrasonography after exclusion of specific identifiable disorders (thyroid disorder, hyperprolactinemia, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-secreting tumors, and Cushing's syndrome). The investigators included women aged between 18 and 38 years who were not: 1) pregnant, postpartum, breastfeeding, or 2) taking any vitamin D supplements, metformin or any hormonal therapy.

Interventions and blood collection:

68 women diagnosed with PCOS and vitamin D deficiency were enrolled. Participants were allocated to each group according to a computer-generated list using ratio 2/1 (Vitamin D/placebo). Women allocated to vitamin D group received one capsule 50.000 IU of vitamin D3 once weekly for eight weeks. The vitamin D supplementation regimen was extracted from the Endocrine Society guidelines. Women in the placebo group received once capsule of placebo once weekly for eight weeks. The placebo was prepared at Maimonides Medical Center's pharmacy. To ensure compliance, The investigators called each participant once weekly and reminded her to take her pill. Fasting blood samples were collected by venipuncture before starting and within two weeks after completing the treatment (vitamin D or placebo). Blood samples were allowed to clot for 30 minutes at room temperature before centrifugation at 1,200 rpm for 10 minutes. Serum was stored at -80°C in aliquots until assayed.

The assays of all measured hormones, 25OH-D, VEGF, TGF-β1, sENG, and AMH:

Serum 25OH-D levels were measured before and after completing the treatment. The levels were determined by the ADVIA Centaur vitamin D assay (Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), testosterone, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) were measured using IMMULITE 2000 XPi immunoassay system (Siemens Healthcare USA). Insulin and prolactin concentrations were quantified by DXL 800 immunoassay analyzer according to manufacturer's protocols (Beckman Coulter). Insulin resistance was calculated according to the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) (29) by using the following formula: Insulin resistance (HOMA IR) = [fasting insulin (µU/mL) x fasting glucose (mmol/L)]/22.5. 17OH-progesterone level was determined by ELISA assay (Eagle BioSciences). AMH concentration was measured using the ultrasensitive AMH/MIS CLIA kit (AnshLabs). TGF-β1 concentration was measured using Human TGF-beta1 Quantikine ELISA kit according to manufacturer's protocols (R\&D Systems). sENG levels were quantified by Human Endoglin/CD105 Quantikine ELISA kit (R\&D Systems). VEGF concentration was quantified using Human VEGF Quantikine ELISA kit according to manufacturer's protocols (R\&D Systems). The inter-assay and intra-assay coefficients of variation for all assays were less than 10%.

Clinical parameters:

All the clinical parameters were evaluated before and four months after the completion of treatment. These parameters included blood pressure (BP), Ferriman-Gallwey score (FGS) (hirsutism score), acne status, and interval between periods.

Statistical analysis:

Data were tested for normality. All values were expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM). A paired student's t-test was used to compare pre- and post-treatment serum levels and clinical parameters. Correlation between changes in angiogenic factors and changes in clinical disease parameters was analyzed using Pearson's test and linear regression. X2-test was used to evaluate the changes in acne after treatment. SigmaStat (SPSS Science, Chicago, IL) was used for statistical analysis. P<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Being tested
Vitamin D3, Placebo
Medical subject headings
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Vitamin D Deficiency

What participants receive

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

  • Vitamin D3Drug

    Women allocated to vitamin D arm received one capsule 50.000 IU of vitamin D3 once weekly for eight weeks.

  • PlaceboOther

    Women in the placebo arm received once capsule of placebo once weekly for eight weeks

Study groups in NCT02460380
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
Vitamin D3Active comparatorWomen allocated to vitamin D3 group received one capsule 50.000 IU of vitamin D3 once weekly for eight weeks.
Receives: Drug: Vitamin D3
PlaceboPlacebo comparatorWomen in the placebo group received once capsule of placebo once weekly for eight weeks.
Receives: Other: Placebo

What is being measured

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

  1. Effect of Vitamin D on Angiogenic Factors

    Serum TGF-β1/sENG ratio as a measure of TGF-β1 bioavailability

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 8 weeks later (post-treatment)

  2. Effect of Vitamin D on Angiogenic Factors

    Serum VEGF level

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 8 weeks later (post-treatment)

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. The Effects of Vitamin D3 on Clinical Disease Parameters in Women With PCOS

    Interval between periods as a measure ovulatory dysfunction

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 4 months later (two months after the completion of treatment)

  2. The Effects of Vitamin D3 on Clinical Disease Parameters in Women With PCOS

    Blood pressure

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 4 months later (two months after the completion of treatment)

  3. The Effects of Vitamin D3 on Clinical Disease Parameters in Women With PCOS

    The homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) is a method used to quantify insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition in which cells fail to respond to the normal actions of the hormone insulin. The HOMA index was calculated as the product of fasting plasma blood glucose and insulin divided by 22.5.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 8 weeks later (post-treatment)

  4. The Effects of Vitamin D3 on Clinical Disease Parameters in Women With PCOS

    Free testosterone

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 8 weeks later (post-treatment)

  5. The Effects of Vitamin D3 on Clinical Disease Parameters in Women With PCOS

    Lipid profile

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 8 weeks later (post-treatment)

  6. The Effects of Vitamin D3 on Clinical Disease Parameters in Women With PCOS

    Ferriman-Gallwey score is a method used to assess and quantify hirsutism in women. A total score < 8 is considered normal whereas a score of 8 to 15 indicates mild hirsutism. A score >15 indicates moderate or severe hirsutism.

    Measured: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 4 months later (two months after the completion of treatment)

Timeline

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

  1. First posted2 Jun 2015 (estimated)
  2. Study startOct 2013
  3. Primary completionMar 2015
  4. Study completionMar 2015

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 4
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Masking
Single blind
Who is masked
Participant
Enrolment
93 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT02460380
Sponsor's protocol ID
2013-06-03
Status last verified
Sep 2018
First submitted
23 May 2015
Last updated
12 Oct 2018
Data monitoring committee
No

Publications

  • Irani M, Seifer DB, Grazi RV, Julka N, Bhatt D, Kalgi B, Irani S, Tal O, Lambert-Messerlian G, Tal R. Vitamin D Supplementation Decreases TGF-beta1 Bioavailability in PCOS: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Nov;100(11):4307-14. doi: 10.1210/jc.2015-2580. Epub 2015 Oct 20.

    PubMed 26485217

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 4 study testing Vitamin D3 in people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Vitamin D Deficiency, run by Maimonides Medical Center.

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 1 inclusion and 2 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 12 Oct 2018. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

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 4 studies take place after a treatment is approved, to learn more about its long-term benefits and risks in everyday use.

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 14 Sep 2018). 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?

Effect of Vitamin D on Angiogenic Factors (time frame: Baseline (pre-treatment) and 8 weeks later (post-treatment)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. 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 NCT02460380, which also lists 1 linked publication.

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 12 Oct 2018.

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