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Mechanism(s) Underlying Hypotensive Response to ARB/NEP Inhibition - Aim 1

Mechanism(s) Underlying Hypotensive Response to ARB/NEP Inhibition - Aim 1

Status
Terminated
Phases
Phase 4
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT03738878
Enrollment
4
Registered
2018-11-13
Start date
2018-11-15
Completion date
2024-12-01
Last updated
2025-08-03

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Hypertension

Brief summary

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that combined angiotensin receptor blockade (ARB)/neprilysin (NEP) inhibition potentiates the effects of exogenous bradykinin, substance P, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) on forearm blood flow or endothelial tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release compared to ARB alone. A secondary goal is to determine if there is an interactive effect of ARB/NEP inhibition and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibition on responses to these peptides.

Detailed description

After informed consent is obtained, subjects will undergo a screening history and physical exam, and anti-hypertensive medications will be withdrawn. During this period, blood pressure (BP) will be measured every one to three days. After subjects have been off anti-hypertensive medications for three weeks (four for spironolactone), they will be randomized to four-week treatment with valsartan 160 mg bid (80 mg bid for one week, then 160 mg bid) or LCZ696 200 bid (100 mg bid for one week, then 200 mg bid) in a double-blind fashion. On the morning of the 28th day of study drug, subjects will report to the Vanderbilt Clinical Research Center (CRC) after an overnight fast. Subjects will be studied in the supine position in a temperature-controlled room. They will be instrumented for intra-arterial infusions. Subjects will be given their last dose of study drug. One hour after drug administration, we will measure forearm blood flow (FBF) and give bradykinin, substance P, or BNP. Each peptide will be infused in three graded doses for five minutes. After administration of all three peptides, subjects will be allowed to rest for an hour. Then they will be given a single oral dose of sitagliptin 200 mg and be allowed to rest for 90 minutes. We will repeat baseline measurements and the peptide infusions with an intervening rest period. The four-week study treatment and protocol will be repeated after a three-week washout, until participants complete both arms.

Interventions

DRUGValsartan

oral valsartan

DRUGLCZ696

oral LCZ696

Intra-arterial bradykinin at three graded doses

Intra-arterial substance P at three graded doses

DRUGBNP

Intra-arterial BNP at three graded doses

DRUGSitagliptin

oral sitagliptin

Sponsors

Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 60 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Patients with essential hypertension defined as having 1. untreated, seated systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 130 mmHg or greater on three separate occasions, or 2. untreated, seated diastolic BP (DBP) of 80 or greater on three separate occasions, or 3. taken anti-hypertensive agent(s) for a minimum of six months. 2. For female subjects, the following conditions must be met: 1. postmenopausal status for at least one year, or 2. status post-surgical sterilization, or 3. if of childbearing potential, utilization of adequate birth control and willingness to undergo urine beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) testing prior to drug treatment and on every study day.

Exclusion criteria

1. Presence of secondary form of hypertension 2. Symptomatic hypertension and/or SBP\>170 mmHg or DBP\>110 mmHg, relevant to the washout period 3. History of hypersensitivity or allergy to any of the study drugs, drugs of similar chemical classes, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi), ARBs, or NEPi, as well as known or suspected contraindications to the study drugs 4. History of angioedema 5. History of pancreatitis or known pancreatic lesions 6. History of significant cardiovascular disease (other than essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy) 7. Symptomatic hypotension and/or a SBP\<100 mmHg at screening or \<95 mmHg during the study 8. Serum potassium \>5.2 mmol/L at screening or \>5.4 mmol/L during the study 9. Individuals using oral contraceptives and smokers in order to reduce the risk of thrombosis following arterial line placement 10. History of serious neurologic disease such as cerebral hemorrhage, stroke, seizure, or transient ischemic attack within six months 11. Presence of significant pulmonary disorders 12. Type 1 diabetes 13. Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), defined as a HgbA1c \>9% 14. Hematocrit \<35% 15. Impaired renal function \[estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of \<30 mL/min/1.73 m2\] as determined by the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation, where serum creatinine (Scr) is expressed in mg/dL and age in years: eGFR (mL/min/1.73m2)=175 • Scr-1.154 • age-0.203 • (1.212 if Black) • (0.742 if female) 16. Use of hormone-replacement therapy 17. Breast feeding and pregnancy 18. History or presence of immunological or hematological disorders 19. History of malignancy other than non-melanoma skin cancer 20. Diagnosis of asthma requiring use of inhaled beta agonist more than once a week 21. Clinically significant gastrointestinal impairment that could interfere with drug absorption 22. Impaired hepatic function \[aspartate amino transaminase (AST) and/or alanine amino transaminase (ALT) \>3.0 x upper limit of normal range\] 23. Any underlying or acute disease requiring regular medication which could possibly pose a threat to the subject or make implementation of the protocol or interpretation of the study results difficult, such as arthritis treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 24. Treatment with chronic systemic glucocorticoid therapy within the last year 25. Treatment with lithium salts 26. History of alcohol or drug abuse 27. Treatment with any investigational drug in the one month preceding the study 28. Mental conditions rendering the subject unable to understand the nature, scope, and possible consequences of the study 29. Inability to comply with the protocol, e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits, and unlikelihood of completing the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Forearm Blood FlowAfter four-week treatment with each crossover drugForearm blood flow measured by strain gauge plethysmography before and after intra-arterial peptide infusion

Countries

United States

Participant flow

Recruitment details

Of four participants who were enrolled, one was randomized to treatment order and partially completed two study days. One participant met exclusion criteria. Two participants declined to participate after signing the consent form.

Pre-assignment details

One participant met exclusion criteria. Two participants declined to participate after signing the consent form.

Participants by arm

ArmCount
Valsartan Then LCZ696
After four-week treatment with valsartan, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin. Then, after three-week washout and four week therapy with LCZ696, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin. Valsartan: oral valsartan LCZ696: oral LCZ696 Bradykinin: Intra-arterial bradykinin at three graded doses Substance P: Intra-arterial substance P at three graded doses BNP: Intra-arterial BNP at three graded doses Sitagliptin: oral sitagliptin
0
LCZ696 Then Valsartan
After four-week treatment with LCZ696, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin. Then, after three-week washout and four week therapy with valsartan, participants will receive intra-arterial infusions of bradykinin, substance P, and BNP in the presence and absence of sitagliptin. Valsartan: oral valsartan LCZ696: oral LCZ696 Bradykinin: Intra-arterial bradykinin at three graded doses Substance P: Intra-arterial substance P at three graded doses BNP: Intra-arterial BNP at three graded doses Sitagliptin: oral sitagliptin
1
Total1

Baseline characteristics

CharacteristicTotalLCZ696 Then ValsartanValsartan Then LCZ696
Age, Continuous45 years45 years
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants1 Participants0 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
0 Participants0 Participants0 Participants

Adverse events

Event typeEG000
affected / at risk
EG001
affected / at risk
deaths
Total, all-cause mortality
0 / 10 / 1
other
Total, other adverse events
1 / 10 / 1
serious
Total, serious adverse events
0 / 10 / 1

Outcome results

Primary

Forearm Blood Flow

Forearm blood flow measured by strain gauge plethysmography before and after intra-arterial peptide infusion

Time frame: After four-week treatment with each crossover drug

Population: Because the study was terminated data from only one participant are included and no statistical analyses were performed.

ArmMeasureValue (MEAN)
LCZ696Forearm Blood Flow2.46 mL/min/100mL
ValsartanForearm Blood Flow2.99 mL/min/100mL

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026