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The DPP-4 Inhibitor Vildagliptin as Adjunct in Major Depressive Disorder Patients

The DPP-4 Inhibitor Vildagliptin as Adjunct in Major Depressive Disorder Patients: A Proof-of-Concept, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Status
Withdrawn
Phases
Phase 1Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04410341
Enrollment
0
Registered
2020-06-01
Start date
2020-05-01
Completion date
2024-12-01
Last updated
2025-07-14

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

Conditions

Major Depressive Disorder

Brief summary

Vildagliptin, an antidiabetic drug that inhibits the dipeptidyl peptidase- 4 (DPP-4), increases glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and regulates blood glucose levels, favoring weight loss and lowering cardiovascular risk. A retrospective longitudinal study by Rizzo et al. showed that DPP-4 inhibitors administration could have protective effects against cognitive decline in diabetic elderly. Is has been observed that GLP-1 affects brain metabolism, increases neuritic growth, and protects neuronal cells from oxidative stress and death.

Interventions

Vildagliptin, an antidiabetic drug that inhibits the dipeptidyl peptidase- 4 (DPP-4), increases glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and regulates blood glucose levels, favoring weight loss and lowering cardiovascular risk.

Escitalopram,Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor- Cilostazol, a selective phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) inhibitor, acts as an antiplatelet agent and has been widely approved for treatment of intermittent claudication with peripheral arterial disease and for secondary prevention of ischemic stroke.

Sponsors

Sadat City University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE (Subject, Investigator)

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* Eighty adult outpatients with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of MDD based on a MINI Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) (American Psychiatric Association., 2000; Sheehan et al., 1998), without psychotic features and a total 17 item HAM-D score of at least 18 with item 1 (depressed mood) scored 2 or greater were eligible (Hamilton, 1960). * Patients were requested to be free of all the psychotropic and anti-inflammatory medications for at least 4 weeks before participating in the study.

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with bipolar I or bipolar II disorder * Patients with personality disorders * Patients with eating disorders * Patients with substance dependence or abuse * Patients with concurrent active medical condition * Patients with history of seizures * Patients with history of receiving Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) * Patients with inflammatory disorders * Patients with allergy or contraindications to the used medications * Patients with finally pregnant or lactating females * Cardiovascular disorders * Severe renal impairment: creatinine clearance of ≤ 25 ml/min * Moderate or severe hepatic impairment

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect on Hamilton Depression rating scale score (HAM-D score)12 weekThe principal measure of the outcome was the 17-items HAM-D. Scoring is based on the 17-item scale and scores of 0-7 are considered as being normal, 8-13 suggest mild depression, 14-17 moderate depression and scores over 17 are indicative of severe depression. Remission is defined as HAM-D total score ≤ 7 (primary outcome). Treatment response is defined as ≥ 50% drop in the HAM-D total score.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Effect on biological markersBaseline and 12 weekSerum level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)
Interleukin-6Baseline and 12 weekSerum level of Interleukin-6 (IL-6)
BDNFBaseline and 12 weekSerum level of Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)

Countries

Egypt

Outcome results

None listed

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