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The Effect of Calcitriol on Progress and Activity of Lupus Nephritis

Phase 2
Conditions
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Interventions
Drug: placebo
Drug: calcitriol
Registration Number
NCT01863641
Lead Sponsor
Guilan University of Medical Sciences
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to determine whether calcitriol is effective in the treatment of lupus nephritis.

Detailed Description

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease and renal involvement represent one of the most common manifestations of it . On the other hand, there is evidence that vitamin D and its analogs have known immunosuppressant properties and profound effects on glomerular mesangial cell proliferation. Moreover much literature such as animal studies suggests it as a therapeutic intervention in autoimmune disease. The investigators plan to conduct a double blind randomized control clinical trial to study effects of calcitriol on progress and activity of lupus nephritis. Fifty patients with clinically quiescent SLE and biopsy-proven glomerulonephritis will be recruited. They will be treated with calcitriol for 1 year. Proteinuria, renal function, lupus disease activity, serum inflammatory markers will be monitored.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Aged 18-65 years
  • Baseline Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index score <= 4
  • Estimated glomerular filtration rate more than 15 ml/min/1.73m2
  • Proteinuria > 1 g/day (or proteinuria > 1 g/g-Cr) in 2 consecutive samples within 12 weeks despite ACE inhibitor at least 3 months
  • On maintenance dose of prednisolone < 15 mg/day with or without other immunosuppressive medications
  • Serum calcium level in normal range( 8.5-10.5 mg/dl)
  • History of biopsy-proven lupus nephritis clinical quiescent SLE for at least 3 month
  • Willingness to give written consent and comply with the study protocol
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Pregnancy, lactating or childbearing potential without effective method of birth control
  • Severe gastrointestinal disorders that interfere with their ability to receive or absorb oral medication
  • History of malignancy, including leukemia and lymphoma within the past 2 years; Systemic infection requiring therapy at study entry
  • Any other severe coexisting disease such as, but not limited to, chronic liver disease, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, malignant hypertension
  • History of drug or alcohol abuse within past 2 years
  • Vitamin D deficiency(25 hydroxy vitamin D less than 20ng/ml)
  • Participation in any previous trial on vitamin D analogue
  • Patients receiving treatment of vitamin D and/or its analogue for other medical reasons within the past 4 weeks
  • Patients who are taking multivitamin supplement that contains vitamin D could be enrolled after 4 weeks of wash out period by changing to a preparation that has no vitamin D
  • On other investigational drugs within last 30 days
  • History of a psychological illness or condition such as to interfere with the patient's ability to understand the requirement of the study
  • History of non-compliance; Known history of sensitivity or allergy to vitamin D analogs
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Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
control groupplaceboPatients will receive placebo daily.
treatment groupcalcitriolPatients will receive calcitriol at a fixed dose daily.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
change in proteinuriabaseline and 12 months
Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
risk of lupus flarebaseline and 12 months
change in renal functionbaseline and 12 months

based on the American College of Rheumatology renal response criteria

change in serum inflammatory markersbaseline and 12 months
change in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index scorebaseline and 12 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Razi hospital

🇮🇷

Rasht, Guilan, Iran, Islamic Republic of

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