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A phase 2 randomised controlled trial of serelaxin to lower portal pressure in cirrhosis (STOPP).

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:In preclinical models, recombinant human relaxin-2 (serelaxin) had anti-fibrotic effects and ameliorated portal hypertension (PH). A small exploratory study in patients with cirrhosis also suggested that serelaxin could reduce portal pressure. METHODS:In a phase 2, double-blind, randomised controlled study conducted in a single centre (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK), male and female adult participants with cirrhosis and clinically significant PH (CSPH; hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) >?10?mmHg) were enrolled. Participants were allocated to serelaxin or placebo in a 3:1 ratio. The placebo was matched to serelaxin on appearance and administration protocol to create and maintain blinding. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in fasting HVPG after 2?h of peripheral i.v. serelaxin infusion (80??g/kg/day for 60?min followed by 30??g/kg/day for at least 60?min). Secondary endpoints included the change from baseline in hepatic blood flow and systemic haemodynamics (cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index and aortic pulse wave velocity). Short-term safety and tolerability of serelaxin were assessed. RESULTS:A total of 17 participants were screened, 15 were randomised and 11 completed the study (n =?9 serelaxin, n =?2 placebo). Reasons for withdrawal were baseline HVPG

SUBMITTER: Gifford FJ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7066808 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A phase 2 randomised controlled trial of serelaxin to lower portal pressure in cirrhosis (STOPP).

Gifford Fiona J FJ Dunne Philip D J PDJ Weir Graeme G Ireland Hamish H Graham Catriona C Tuck Sharon S Hayes Peter C PC Fallowfield Jonathan A JA

Trials 20200312 1

<h4>Background</h4>In preclinical models, recombinant human relaxin-2 (serelaxin) had anti-fibrotic effects and ameliorated portal hypertension (PH). A small exploratory study in patients with cirrhosis also suggested that serelaxin could reduce portal pressure.<h4>Methods</h4>In a phase 2, double-blind, randomised controlled study conducted in a single centre (Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, UK), male and female adult participants with cirrhosis and clinically significant PH (CSPH; hepatic venous ...[more]

PMID: 32164767

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Project description:BackgroundChronic liver scarring from any cause leads to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and a progressive decline in renal blood flow and renal function. Extreme renal vasoconstriction characterizes hepatorenal syndrome, a functional and potentially reversible form of acute kidney injury in patients with advanced cirrhosis, but current therapy with systemic vasoconstrictors is ineffective in a substantial proportion of patients and is limited by ischemic adverse events. Serelaxin (recombinant human relaxin-2) is a peptide molecule with anti-fibrotic and vasoprotective properties that binds to relaxin family peptide receptor-1 (RXFP1) and has been shown to increase renal perfusion in healthy human volunteers. We hypothesized that serelaxin could ameliorate renal vasoconstriction and renal dysfunction in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Methods and findingsTo establish preclinical proof of concept, we developed two independent rat models of cirrhosis that were characterized by progressive reduction in renal blood flow and glomerular filtration rate and showed evidence of renal endothelial dysfunction. We then set out to further explore and validate our hypothesis in a phase 2 randomized open-label parallel-group study in male and female patients with alcohol-related cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Forty patients were randomized 1:1 to treatment with serelaxin intravenous (i.v.) infusion (for 60 min at 80 μg/kg/d and then 60 min at 30 μg/kg/d) or terlipressin (single 2-mg i.v. bolus), and the regional hemodynamic effects were quantified by phase contrast magnetic resonance angiography at baseline and after 120 min. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in total renal artery blood flow. Therapeutic targeting of renal vasoconstriction with serelaxin in the rat models increased kidney perfusion, oxygenation, and function through reduction in renal vascular resistance, reversal of endothelial dysfunction, and increased activation of the AKT/eNOS/NO signaling pathway in the kidney. In the randomized clinical study, infusion of serelaxin for 120 min increased total renal arterial blood flow by 65% (95% CI 40%, 95%; p < 0.001) from baseline. Administration of serelaxin was safe and well tolerated, with no detrimental effect on systemic blood pressure or hepatic perfusion. The clinical study's main limitations were the relatively small sample size and stable, well-compensated population.ConclusionsOur mechanistic findings in rat models and exploratory study in human cirrhosis suggest the therapeutic potential of selective renal vasodilation using serelaxin as a new treatment for renal dysfunction in cirrhosis, although further validation in patients with more advanced cirrhosis and renal dysfunction is required.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01640964.

Project description:Background: Liver cirrhosis is a relevant comorbidity with increasing prevalence. Postoperative decompensation and development of complications in patients with cirrhosis remains a frequent clinical problem. Surgery has been discussed as a precipitating event for decompensation and complications of cirrhosis, but the underlying pathomechanisms are still obscure. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of abdominal extrahepatic surgery in cirrhosis on portal pressure and fibrosis in a preclinical model. Methods: Compensated liver cirrhosis was induced using tetrachlormethane (CCL4) inhalation and bile duct ligation (BDL) models in rats, non-cirrhotic portal hypertension by partial portal vein ligation (PPVL). Intestinal manipulation (IM) as a model of extrahepatic abdominal surgery was performed. 2 and 7 days after IM, portal pressure was measured in-vivo. Hydroxyproline measurements, Sirius Red staining and qPCR measurements of the liver were performed for evaluation of fibrosis development and hepatic inflammation. Laboratory parameters of liver function in serum were analyzed. Results: Portal pressure was significantly elevated 2 and 7 days after IM in both models of cirrhosis. In the non-cirrhotic model the trend was the same, while not statistically significant. In both cirrhotic models, IM shows strong effects of decompensation, with significant weight loss, elevation of liver enzymes and hypoalbuminemia. 7 days after IM in the BDL group, Sirius red staining and hydroxyproline levels showed significant progression of fibrosis and significantly elevated mRNA levels of hepatic inflammation compared to the respective control group. A progression of fibrosis was not observed in the CCL4 model. Conclusion: In animal models of cirrhosis with continuous liver injury (BDL), IM increases portal pressure, and development of fibrosis. Perioperative portal pressure and hence inflammation processes may be therapeutic targets to prevent post-operative decompensation in cirrhosis.

Project description:Previous studies have suggested that psychological interventions may be effective in reducing blood pressure. Using rigorous methodology and 24-hour monitoring of ambulatory blood pressure, we compared 2 psychological interventions with treatment using a first-line antihypertensive drug in terms of their efficacy in lowering blood pressure in patients with mild primary hypertension.In this prospective, open-label randomized controlled trial (RCT), 65 adult patients with mild, uncomplicated hypertension were randomly assigned to receive one of the following interventions for 12 weeks: (1) pharmacotherapy with hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 titrated to 25 mg/d ; (2) individualized behavioural psychotherapy, consisting of ten 1-hour sessions of stress reduction training with a psychologist; or (3) self-help psychotherapy, consisting of a 1.5-hour session with a psychologist and then daily sessions that involved reading a self-help manual and listening to an audiotape. The primary outcome measure was mean change in ambulatory blood pressure from baseline to week 12. Resting blood pressure readings were taken in the clinic, and adverse events were recorded.Monitoring of ambulatory blood pressure over 24 hours showed that hydrochlorothiazide therapy significantly reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure relative to baseline, and that this reduction was significantly greater than that achieved with either individualized behavioural psychotherapy or self-help psychotherapy (mean reduction [standard error; SE] -11.03 [2.53] / -6.06 [1.56] mm Hg v. -0.08 [2.38] / 0.29 [1.47] mm Hg v. -1.23 [2.83] / -0.71 [1.75] mm Hg, respectively; p = 0.01). Neither form of psychological therapy significantly lowered 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure relative to baseline.For patients with primary elevated blood pressure, 2 psychological interventions did not lower 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure, whereas hydrochlorothiazide reduced blood pressure, as expected. The findings of this RCT represent an important addition to the evidence for health care practitioners and for patients seeking psychological interventions to reduce blood pressure.

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A phase 2 randomised controlled trial of serelaxin to lower portal pressure in cirrhosis (STOPP).

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A phase 2 randomised controlled trial of serelaxin to lower portal pressure in cirrhosis (STOPP).

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