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Efficacy of Fish Oil in Lupus Patients

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Interventions
Device: flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery
Other: corn starch
Registration Number
NCT00828178
Lead Sponsor
Michelle Petri M.D.,MPH
Brief Summary

The investigators hypothesize that low-dose dietary supplementation with omega-3 fish oil will improve disease activity and endothelial function in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients.

Detailed Description

Patients with SLE have a fifty-fold increased risk of myocardial infarction. This risk is not totally explained by traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In a previous double-blind study of atorvastatin in SLE, there was no reduction in surrogate measures of coronary artery disease (coronary calcium, coronary IMT, carotid plaque) and no effect on inflammatory markers such as ICAM, VCAM, IL-6 and CRP. We need to find novel approaches to reduce coronary artery disease in SLE. In a preliminary study, omega-3 was shown to improve flow mediated dilation of the brachial artery, oxidative stress and disease activity in lupus patients. In this study we will determine if omega-3 improves brachial artery flow dilation, disease activity and other vascular inflammatory markers (IL-6, s-VCAM-1, s-ICAM-1) in SLE, in a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
106
Inclusion Criteria
  • Patients with a clinical diagnosis of SLE are eligible.
  • Patients must be 18 years of age or older and able to give informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria
  • SLE patients who are allergic to fish oil or any omega 3 product.
  • Patients who are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant or are nursing.
  • Omega-3 use within the previous 6 weeks of enrollment.
  • Use of warfarin or heparin.
  • Patients who have coronary artery disease.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Omega-3flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery3 g of Omega-3 (1.8 g eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.2 g docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters); flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery
corn starchflow-mediated dilation of the brachial arterycorn starch; flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery
corn starchcorn starchcorn starch; flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery
Omega-3Omega-33 g of Omega-3 (1.8 g eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.2 g docosahexaenoic acid ethyl esters); flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effect on Brachial Artery Flow Dilation by Omega-3 Versus Placebo.12 weeks

The assessment measured mean brachial artery diameter at pre-treatment(baseline) and post-treatment (after 12 weeks).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Effect of Omega-3 Versus Placebo on Disease Activity in SLE.pre-treatment(baseline) and post-treatment (after 12 weeks)

The assessment measured change in disease activities using SELENA-SLEDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index Selena Modification - range 0-105) and PGA (Physician Global Assessment - range 0-3) comparing pre-treatment(baseline) vs post-treatment (after 12 weeks).

SELENA-SLEDAI - range 0-105, high score indicates high disease activity - weighted sum of sub-scale is used as total score.

PGA - range 0-3, high score indicates high disease activity.

Effect on Markers of Inflammation: ICAM and VCAM by Omega-3 Versus Placebo.pre-treatment(baseline) and post-treatment (after 12 weeks)

The inflammatory markers (sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1) were assessed and compared before and after treatment. change from baseline were reported.

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Lupus Center, Johns Hopkins University

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

The Johns Hopkins Lupus Center

🇺🇸

Baltimore, Maryland, United States

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