Clinical Trial: Arginine Treatment of Acute Chest Syndrome (Pneumonia) in Sickle Cell Disease Patients

Study Status: Completed
Recruit Status: Completed
Study Type: Interventional

Official Title: Arginine Therapy for Acute Chest Syndrome in Sickle Cell Disease

Brief Summary: This is a study to determine if oral arginine will increase nitric oxide in sickle cell disease (SCD) patients with acute chest syndrome (ACS). It will also assess the effects of arginine in the body and how the body uses nitric oxide in ACS.

Detailed Summary:

Pneumonia in patients with SCD can be particularly severe and has come to be called acute chest syndrome. ACS is a common cause of morbidity in SCD patients and is the most common cause of death in SCD. Multiple factors are involved in the severity of acute pulmonary injury in SCD. Nitric oxide has a multitude of related functions, many of which could impact favorably on ACS in SCD. Nitric oxide is an important inflammatory mediator which is produced by the conversion of L-arginine to citrulline by nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide and its precursor, arginine, are known to be low in SCD patients with ACS, suggesting that therapies, such as arginine, aimed at increasing nitric oxide production will improve the clinical course of ACS. Patients will receive 1 of 3 doses of arginine hydrochloride orally 3 times a day for 3 days while hospitalized. The efficacy of arginine will be measured by the increase in nitric oxide production and the physiological effects will be assessed.

Completion date provided represents the completion date of the grant per OOPD records

Sponsor: Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland

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Information By: FDA Office of Orphan Products Development

Dates:
Date Received: January 21, 2002
Date Started: August 2001
Date Completion: July 2005
Last Updated: March 24, 2015
Last Verified: January 2002