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Diclofenac as a KMO Inhibitor

Proof of Concept: Diclofenac as a KMO Inhibitor in Individuals With Alcohol Use Disorder

Status
Active, not recruiting
Phases
Early Phase 1
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT06029296
Acronym
DKMOI
Enrollment
12
Registered
2023-09-08
Start date
2024-07-31
Completion date
2026-08-01
Last updated
2026-03-27

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

Conditions

Alcohol Use Disorder

Keywords

diclofenac

Brief summary

This mechanistic, proof of concept laboratory study will test the pharmacological properties of diclofenac in individuals with AUD. Participants will complete two sessions in which they will receive a single dose of diclofenac (100 mg) or matched placebo in a randomized and double blind fashion. The primary aim is to assess whether this dose of diclofenac, vs. placebo, increases circulating levels of kynurenic acid. This finding would provide evidence that diclofenac (100 mg) inhibits the kynurenine 3-monooxygenase enzyme.

Interventions

DRUGDiclofenac

100 mg

DRUGPlacebo

Sugar pill

Sponsors

University of Maryland, Baltimore
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

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

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Ages 21-65 * Meet DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for AUD of any severity (Mild, Moderate, or Severe)

Exclusion criteria

* Lifetime DSM-5 diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders and bipolar and related disorders * Positive urine toxicology screen for the following substances: cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, methamphetamine, phencyclidine, barbiturates, benzodiazepine, methadone, and tricyclic antidepressants * Self-reported daily use of opioids (including prescribed) * Serious alcohol withdrawal symptoms as indicated by a score ≥ 10 on the Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol-Revised * If female: pregnant, nursing, or with reproductive potential who refuses to use reliable methods of birth control throughout the study * Any autoimmune disorder, inflammatory disorder, or medical condition that may interfere with safe study participation and/or study aims (e.g., any cardiac, renal, or liver disease, uncontrolled hypertension, or diabetes) * Attempted suicide in the past 3 years and/or serious suicidal intention or plan within the past year * Currently on prescription medication that contraindicates use of diclofenac, including but not necessarily limited to: oral corticosteroids, anticoagulants, lithium, warfarin, aspirin (daily use), methotrexate, cyclosporine, ACE-inhibitors, and diuretics like furosemide and thiazides * Previously known hypersensitivity, including gastroenteritis, asthma, and allergic-type reactions, to any NSAID and/or aspirin * Current daily use of any NSAID or regular pattern of near daily use within the past three months, regular use of a prebiotic or probiotic supplement and/or any antibiotic, prebiotic, or probiotic use within the last month * Any lifetime history of ulcer disease, gastritis, gastroenteritis, or gastrointestinal bleeding * Current or recent (within 3 months) participation in a clinical trial involving medication administration * Currently in treatment, a history of treatment within the 30 days before enrollment, or currently seeking immediate treatment for AUD * Current (last 12 months) DSM-5 diagnosis of SUD for any psychoactive substances other than alcohol and nicotine * Currently prescribed a psychotropic medication for the treatment of schizophrenia spectrum and other psychotic disorders, bipolar and related disorders * AST and ALT \> four times the upper limit of the normal range, or albumin, GFR, BUN, or creatinine 15% \> the upper limit of the normal range * Suffered a mild or moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) within the last 12 months, a severe TBI at any point in their life, or a moderate TBI before the age of 12 * Has below a 6th grade reading level * Within the last 3 months, tested positive for COVID-19 (i.e. the SARS-CoV-2 virus) and experienced common related symptoms * Any other circumstances that, in the opinion of the investigators, compromises participant safety, ability of the investigators to conduct the study as designed, and/or study integrity

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Kynurenic Acid0-, 60-, 120-, 180-, and 240-minutes after pill administrationSerum levels of Kynurenic Acid

Countries

United States

Contacts

PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATORDaniel Roche, PhD

University of Maryland, Baltimore

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Mar 28, 2026