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Nutritional and Neurotransmitter Changes in PKU Subjects on BH4 (BH4&PKU)

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ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00688844
Recruitment Status : Completed
First Posted : June 3, 2008
Results First Posted : August 20, 2014
Last Update Posted : June 8, 2015
Sponsor:
Collaborators:
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Information provided by (Responsible Party):
Rani Singh, Emory University

Brief Summary:

HYPOTHESIS: The investigators hypothesize that KuvanTM therapy could influence nutritional and body composition parameters and neurotransmitter concentrations in pediatric and adult PKU subjects.

SUMMARY: Though the investigators know that KuvanTM lowers blood Phe levels and improves tolerance for natural protein in at least half of the PKU (Phenylketonuria) patient population, investigators do not know the full effects this medicine will have on the patient's diet, or what impact the medicine or diet changes will have on the body composition or nutrient status of PKU patients. Since KuvanTM may also help the body produce neurotransmitters, investigators also want to find out if taking KuvanTM changes neurotransmitter levels in PKU patients, and if PKU patients who are benefitting from KuvanTM feel less stigmatized and have a better outlook on life as a result of the treatment.

Therefore, the research study has several objectives. These are to investigate the impact KuvanTM therapy has on (1) body composition parameters of PKU patients: such as lean body mass, percent body fat, bone density, weight gain, and growth (2) dietary changes, and the effect of those changes, on intake of calories and essential nutrients (3) changes in blood biomarkers of certain nutrients (4) blood and urine neurotransmitter levels, since these changes could indicate improved neurological functioning, (5) and quality of life of PKU patients, who may feel less burdened due to the dietary freedom KuvanTM provides.


Condition or disease Intervention/treatment
Phenylketonuria Drug: KuvanTM Therapy

Detailed Description:

BACKGROUND : Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is a treatment option newly available to phenylketonuria (PKU) patients within the United States as the pharmaceutical KuvanTM. This small molecule functions as a cofactor in multiple enzyme systems, including the metabolism of phenylalanine into tyrosine by the enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH).

HYPOTHESIS: The investigators hypothesize that KuvanTM therapy could influence nutritional and body composition parameters and neurotransmitter concentrations in pediatric and adult PKU subjects.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. To record nutritional biomarkers, body composition, bone density, and measures of nutrient intake in a phenylketonuria subject group at baseline and for one year after start of KuvanTM therapy.
  2. To investigate changes in monoamine neurotransmitter synthesis in a phenylketonuria subject group at baseline and for one year after start of KuvanTM therapy.
  3. Evaluate changes in quality of life (QOL) for PKU subjects beginning KuvanTM therapy

METHODOLOGY: Investigators intend to enroll 60 PKU patients, ages 4 to adulthood, who are planning to begin BH4 treatment as prescribed by their medical provider. Patients will be given 4 weeks to demonstrate a response to KuvanTM as determined by a drop in plasma PHE by ≥15%. All patients, regardless of response to KuvanTM, will be allowed to continue in the study. All subjects will be followed for a full 12 months while monitoring nutrient intake, nutritional biomarkers, serotonin and catecholamine levels, and QOL. Two-tailed statistical analysis with α=0.05 will be used to compare results between responders and nonresponders, as well as compare follow-up values with baseline measures.

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Study Type : Observational
Actual Enrollment : 58 participants
Observational Model: Cohort
Time Perspective: Prospective
Official Title: Baseline Evaluation and Long-term Follow-up of Nutritional Status and Neurotransmitter Concentrations in Phenylketonuria Patients Initiating Treatment With Sapropterin Dihydrochloride (KuvanTM), a Tetrahydrobiopterin Analog.
Study Start Date : October 2008
Actual Primary Completion Date : October 2010
Actual Study Completion Date : October 2010


Group/Cohort Intervention/treatment
PKU subjects - baseline
Male and female subjects with PKU at baseline starting KuvanTM therapy.
Drug: KuvanTM Therapy
BH4 treatment was prescribed by each participant's medical provider, not an intervention that was assigned as part of the current study.
Other Names:
  • BH4
  • Kuvan




Primary Outcome Measures :
  1. Change From Baseline in BMI at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Change in Body mass index (BMI) from baseline of Kuvan study to 12 months post-baseline

  2. Change From Baseline in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Change in bone mineral density (BMD) from baseline of Kuvan study to 12 months post-baseline

  3. Change From Baseline in Percent (%) Lean Mass at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    % lean mass was measured via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  4. Change From Baseline in Percent (%) Fat Mass at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Percent fat mass measured via dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)

  5. Change From Baseline in Plasma Phenylalanine at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Full amino acid panel, including phenylalanine, analyzed in fasting plasma samples.

  6. Change From Baseline in Total Dietary Protein Intake at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Total dietary protein intake assessed through 3-day food records - calculated as average protein intake (grams/day) in the 3 days recorded

  7. Change From Baseline in Phenylalanine Intake at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Total dietary phenylalanine assessed through 3-day food records - calculated as average phenylalanine intake (grams/day) in the 3 days recorded


Other Outcome Measures:
  1. Change From Baseline in Serotonin at 12 Months [ Time Frame: Baseline and 12 months ]
    Objective: 1 year prospective cohort of PKU patients introduced to sapropterin (Kuvan)to evaluate peripheral neurotransmitter changes across time.


Biospecimen Retention:   Samples With DNA
Blood plasma Blood platelets Whole blood Urine


Information from the National Library of Medicine

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Ages Eligible for Study:   4 Years and older   (Child, Adult, Older Adult)
Sexes Eligible for Study:   All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:   Yes
Sampling Method:   Non-Probability Sample
Study Population
Phenylketonuria (PKU) subjects ages 4 through adulthood who plan to start BH4 therapy but are not currently on BH4.
Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed with PKU
  • ability to provide informed consent (or have legal guardian who can provide informed consent)
  • at least 4 years of age
  • planning on trying BH4 treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Pregnant
  • unable to provide informed consent
  • less than 4 years of age
  • currently taking BH4

Information from the National Library of Medicine

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): NCT00688844


Locations
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United States, Georgia
Emory Hospital, CIN/ACTSI
Atlanta, Georgia, United States, 30322
Emory University Genetics Clinic
Decatur, Georgia, United States, 30033
Sponsors and Collaborators
Emory University
BioMarin Pharmaceutical
Atlanta Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Investigators
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Principal Investigator: Rani H Singh, PhD, RD Emory University Department of Human Genetics
Additional Information:
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
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Responsible Party: Rani Singh, Associate Professor, Emory University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00688844    
Other Study ID Numbers: IRB00007828
First Posted: June 3, 2008    Key Record Dates
Results First Posted: August 20, 2014
Last Update Posted: June 8, 2015
Last Verified: May 2015
Keywords provided by Rani Singh, Emory University:
PKU
Phenylketonuria
BH4
Kuvan
Tetrahydrobiopterin
Sapropterin Dihydrochloride
Nutrition
PHE
Phenylalanine
PAH
Phenylalanine hydroxylase
Neurotransmitters
Serotonin
Catecholamines
Diet
Body Fat
Bone Density
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
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Phenylketonurias
Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn
Brain Diseases, Metabolic
Brain Diseases
Central Nervous System Diseases
Nervous System Diseases
Amino Acid Metabolism, Inborn Errors
Metabolism, Inborn Errors
Genetic Diseases, Inborn
Metabolic Diseases