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RCT of Ghrelin in Stroke Patients

Multicentre Randomized Trial of Ghrelin in Anterior Circulation Ischemic Stroke Treated With Endovascular Thrombectomy. A Randomized Phase 2 Trial

Status
UNKNOWN
Phases
Phase 2
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05726240
Acronym
MR GENTLE
Enrollment
80
Registered
2023-02-13
Start date
2023-10-31
Completion date
2024-12-31
Last updated
2023-07-25

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

Conditions

Stroke, Ischemic

Keywords

Endovascular thrombectomy, Ghrelin

Brief summary

About half of the patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) remain dependent on the help of others or die in the first 90 days. We hypothesize that treatment with ghrelin, started in the first six hours after stroke onset, improves early recovery and long-term functional outcome in these patients. Ghrelin is a naturally occurring hormone and mildly excitatory neurotransmitter also known as the 'hunger hormone.' Treatment with acylated ghrelin consistently improved functional and histological recovery in in vitro and in vivo models of ischemic stroke.

Detailed description

We will include 80 patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation, eligible for EVT. The study population will be drawn from adult patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with EVT at UMC Utrecht, Rijnstate, MST or Isala. Treatment in the intervention group will consist of intravenous acylated ghrelin, 600micrg dissolved in 50cc normal saline, by bolus (short term) infusion in 30 minutes, twice daily, for five days. This treatment will be additional to standard treatment, including intravenous thrombolysis, if indicated.

Interventions

DRUGGhrelin

Treatment in the intervention group will consist of intravenous acylated ghrelin, 600micrg dissolved in 50cc normal saline, by bolus (short term) infusion in 30 minutes, twice daily, for five days. This treatment will be additional to standard treatment, including intravenous thrombolysis, if indicated.

Sponsors

Rijnstate Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE

Masking description

PROBE design

Intervention model description

This will be a phase 2 multicenter clinical trial with random treatment allocation, open label treatment and blinded endpoint assessment (PROBE design). The intervention contrast will be intravenous acylated ghrelin in addition to standard care (intervention group) vs. standard care alone (control group).

Eligibility

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

Inclusion criteria

* a clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke, caused by intracranial large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation (distal intracranial carotid artery or middle (M1/proximal M2) cerebral artery) confirmed by neuro-imaging (CTA or MRA), * treatment with EVT, defined as groin puncture in the angio suite, * CT or MRI ruling out intracranial hemorrhage, * a pre-EVT score of at least 10 on the NIHSS, * age of 18 years or older, * written informed consent (deferred).

Exclusion criteria

* pre-stroke disability defined as mRS ≥ 2, * life expectancy shorter than one year, * child-bearing potential.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score7 days after stroke onsetThe primary outcome measure is the score on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at seven days (±1) after stroke onset or at discharge, if earlier. The NIHSS is a continuous scale to evaluate the severity of stroke by assessing a patient's performance. Scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating a more severe deficit.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Mortality90 days after stroke onsetMortality at 90 days
National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score24 hours after stroke onsetScores on National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale at 24 hours after stroke onset. The NIHSS is a continuous scale to evaluate the severity of stroke by assessing a patient's performance. Scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating a more severe deficit. The NIHSS is a continuous scale to evaluate the severity of stroke by assessing a patient's performance. Scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating a more severe deficit.
Telephonic Montreal Cognitive Assessment90 days after stroke onsetScore on the telephone version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at 90 days. The MoCA 5-minute protocol consists of 4 subtests examining 5 cognitive domains, including attention, verbal learning and memory, executive functions/language, and orientation. Total scores of the MoCA 5-minute protocol range between 0 and 30 with lower scores indicating a better cognition.
Modified Rankin Scale score90 days after stroke onsetThe score on the Modified Rankin Scale at 90 days after stroke onset. The mRS is an ordinal hierarchical scale that describes disabilities encountered post stroke, incorporating six categories from 0 (complete recovery) up to and including 5 (severe disability). 'Death' is assigned a score of 6 .
Blood glucose levelsDays 1-7 after stroke onsetBlood glucose levels at days 1-7 (or until discharge)
Blood pressureDays 1-7 after stroke onsetBlood pressure at days 1-7 (or until discharge)
Body temperatureDays 1-7 after stroke onsetBody temperature at days 1-7 (or until discharge)
Infarct size72 hours after stroke onsetInfarct size at 72 hours (based on Magnetic resonance imaging measurements)

Countries

Netherlands

Contacts

Primary ContactJeannette Hofmeijer, MD, PhD
jhofmeijer@rijnstate.nl0880058877
Backup ContactDaphne van der Veen, MSc
vascularsurgery@rijnstate.nl

Outcome results

None listed

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