Mesalamine and Reproductive Health Study (MARS)
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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01331551 |
Recruitment Status
:
Active, not recruiting
First Posted
: April 8, 2011
Last Update Posted
: August 16, 2017
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The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship of high exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) from the use of Asacol with clinical and intermediate markers of male fertility, including semen quality, sperm DNA damage, transcript profiles of sperm mRNA and sncRNAs, and reproductive hormones.
Hypothesis 1: High exposure to DBP from the use of Asacol is associated with decreased sperm concentration and motility, and increased sperm DNA damage.
Hypothesis 2: High exposure to DBP from the use of Asacol is associated with decreased serum testosterone, altered LH:testosterone ratio, and decreased inhibin-B.
Hypothesis 3: High exposure to DBP from the use of Asacol is associated with altered transcript profiles of sperm mRNAs and sncRNAs.
Condition or disease |
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Colitis Ulcerative Crohn Disease |
There are 2 ways you can participate in the study.
OPTION 1 involves 6 one-hour visits to the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Andrology Clinic over a 9 month period. At each visit you would be asked to fill out questionnaires and to provide a urine, semen, and blood sample. Following Visit 2, you are asked to switch your brand of mesalamine medication. After 4 months, you change back to your original brand of medication. The change in medication will be done in consultation with your primary GI doctor. If the cost of co-payment is greater for the new brand of medication, we will provide compensation to cover the difference. In the case you do not have prescription drug health insurance coverage, the study will reimburse up to $4000 to cover the cost for Asacol, Pentasa or Lialda medication taken during your study participation.
OPTION 2 involves 4 one-hour visits to MGH Andrology clinic. At each visit you complete questionnaires and provide a blood, urine and semen sample. You are eligible for Option 2 if you are currently taking Asacol or Asacol HD and do not want to change your medication.
Study Type : | Observational |
Estimated Enrollment : | 130 participants |
Observational Model: | Case-Crossover |
Time Perspective: | Prospective |
Official Title: | Crossover Study on Human Exposure to Phthalates and Male Fertility |
Study Start Date : | May 2010 |
Estimated Primary Completion Date : | May 2018 |
Estimated Study Completion Date : | May 2018 |

Group/Cohort |
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men with inflammatory bowel disease
Men between the ages of 18-55 with inflammatory bowel disease who are taking mesalamine medication.
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- Altered semen quality and sperm transcriptome analysis [ Time Frame: Initial analysis takes place approximately 4-5 months after patient enrolls and after he has completed first crossover of medication. The second phase takes place about 8-10 months later after he crosses back to original medication. ]
- Serum levels of reproductive hormones [ Time Frame: Analysis of hormone levels take place at the same intervals described above, 4-5 months after enrollment and then again 8-10 months after enrollment when patient has resumed taking orginal medication. ]
Biospecimen Retention: Samples With DNA

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contacts provided below. For general information, Learn About Clinical Studies.
Ages Eligible for Study: | 18 Years to 55 Years (Adult) |
Sexes Eligible for Study: | Male |
Accepts Healthy Volunteers: | No |
Sampling Method: | Non-Probability Sample |
Inclusion Criteria:
- Must be taking mesalamine medication. Willing to switch brand of medication for 4 months or currently taking Asacol or Asacol HD.
- Has not taken steroid medication within the previous 3 months. Is able to come to MGH hospital for 6 visits.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Is not taking mesalamine medication. Unwilling to switch brand of medication for 4 months.
- Is or has taken steroid medication within the past 3 months. Is unable to come to MGH hospital for 6 visits.
- Has had a vasectomy or has documented infertility.

To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the contact information provided by the sponsor.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier (NCT number): NCT01331551
United States, Massachusetts | |
Massachuetts General Hospital | |
Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114 |
Principal Investigator: | Russ B Hauser, MD, ScD, MPH | Harvard School of Public Health |
Responsible Party: | Russ Hauser, Principal Investigator, Harvard School of Public Health |
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: | NCT01331551 History of Changes |
Other Study ID Numbers: |
5R01ES17285-2 |
First Posted: | April 8, 2011 Key Record Dates |
Last Update Posted: | August 16, 2017 |
Last Verified: | August 2017 |
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement: | |
Plan to Share IPD: | Yes |
Plan Description: | Participants may receive semen and hormone analysis if they desire. |
Keywords provided by Russ Hauser, Harvard School of Public Health:
Inflammatory Bowel disease |
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Crohn Disease Colitis, Ulcerative Inflammatory Bowel Diseases Gastroenteritis Gastrointestinal Diseases Digestive System Diseases Intestinal Diseases Colitis Colonic Diseases |
Mesalamine Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal Analgesics, Non-Narcotic Analgesics Sensory System Agents Peripheral Nervous System Agents Physiological Effects of Drugs Anti-Inflammatory Agents Antirheumatic Agents |