ISRCTN ISRCTN55050065
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN55050065
Secondary identifying numbers 01201251133
Submission date
05/02/2016
Registration date
16/02/2016
Last edited
18/10/2016
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
The cells in the human body contain DNA, complex chemical that carries genetic information. DNA is made up of small, ‘X’ shaped structures which are responsible for specific genes (chromosomes). At the ends of the chromosomes are stretches of DNA called telomeres, which protect the genetic material by preventing the DNA from fraying and unravelling, like the plastic tips on the end of shoe laces. As cells reproduce (copy themselves into two identical cells), the telomere caps become shorter, which is linked with the process of aging (at a cellular level). When the telomeres become too short to do their job properly, the cells can no longer divide and so becomes inactive (senescent) or dies. This shortening process is associated with aging, cancer, and a higher risk of death. Recent studies have shown that there is a connection between the processes of telomere shortening and the development of cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and blood vessels). Telomerase is a protein which can help to prevent telomere shortening by lengthening telomeres in certain types of cells. By increasing the activity of telomerase, it could be possible to help slow down cellular aging, and prevent the development of diseases such as cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study is to find out whether atorvastatin (a cholesterol lowering drug) and perindopril (a blood pressure lowering drug) can help to increase telomerase activity in patients with high cholesterol and high blood pressure with no signs of significant cardiovascular disease.

Who can participate?
Adults aged between 35 and 75 years with high cholesterol can take part in part one and adults aged between 35 and 75 years with high blood pressure and no known diabetes or heart disease can take part in part two.

What does the study involve?
In part one of the study, 100 participants with high cholesterol are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are treated with 20mg atorvastatin every day for 12 months. Those in the second group do not receive any medication for the two months of the study. In part two of the study, 52 participants with high blood pressure are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are treated with 5-10mg of perindopril daily for 12 months as well as any diuretics (water tablets) needed to control their blood pressure (if necessary). Those in the second group are treated using standard medications used to treat high blood pressure for 12 months. At the end of the study, participants in both groups of each part of the study have blood and urine samples taken so that they can be assessed in the lab for signs of telomerase activity.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits to participants. There is a small risk that participants may experience pain and bruising following blood tests.

Where is the study run from?
National Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation (Russia)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
February 2013 to March 2015

Who is funding the study?
Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation (Russia)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Irina Strazhesko

Contact information

Dr Irina Strazhesko
Scientific

Federal State Institution "National Research Center for Preventive Medicine" of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation
bld. 10
Petroverigskiy lane
Moscow
1010000
Russian Federation

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-3657-0676
Phone +7 (0)985 210 73 27
Email istrazhesko@gmail.com

Study information

Study designSingle-centre randomised controlled trial with two sub-study arms
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)GP practice
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleEffect of atorvastatin therapy and perindopril therapy on telomerase activity in patients free of cardiovascular diseases
Study objectivesTwelve months of statin therapy or perindopril therapy increases telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Ethics approval(s)National Research Center for Preventive Medicine, 13/03/2013, ref: 06-03-14
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied1. Hypercholesterolemia
2. Hypertension
InterventionPart one - Atorvastatin arm:
Participants are randomized (using of a table of random numbers) to one of two groups in a 1:1 ratio.

Intervention group: Participants receive 20mg atorvastatin daily for 12 months.
Control group: Participants do not receive any additional medication in the 12 month study period.

Part two - Perindopril arm:
Participants are randomised (using of a table of random numbers) to one of two groups in a 1:1 ratio.

Intervention group: For 12 months participants receive 5-10 mg of perindopril once or twice a day as monotherapy or in combination with diuretics to achieve target levels of blood pressure.
Control group: For 12 months participants receive other antihypertensive drugs: beta-blokers, calcium antagonists, diuretics to achieve target levels of blood pressure. In this group inhibitors of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system are prohibited.
Intervention typeDrug
Pharmaceutical study type(s)
PhaseNot Applicable
Drug / device / biological / vaccine name(s)1. Atorvastatin 2. Perindopril
Primary outcome measureTelomerase activity, measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction at 12 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Markers of chronic inflammation (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, interleukin 6), measured using blood analysis at baseline and 12 months
2. Blood urea, measured using uranalysis at baseline and 12 months
3. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity, measured using SphygmoCor at baseline and 12 months
4. Intima-media thickness and atherosclerotic plaques number, measured using ultrasonography with PHILIPS iU22 ultrasound system at baseline and 12 months
5. Flow dependent vasodilation, measured by probe with reactive hyperemia at baseline and 12 months
Overall study start date01/02/2013
Completion date02/03/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupMixed
SexBoth
Target number of participantsAtorvastatin arm: 100 participants, Perindopril arm: 52 participants
Key inclusion criteriaAll participants:
Aged 35 to 75 years

Atorvastatin arm:
1. Diagnosed with hypercholesterolemia (low-density lipoproteins cholesterol [LDL-C] ≥160 mg/dL (4.16 mmol/L) in the presence of 0–1 CVD risk factors and LDL-C ≥130 mg/dL (3.38 mmol/L) in the presence of two or more CVD risk factors
2. Absence of any lipid-lowering therapy at the time of inclusion

Perindopril arm:
1. Hypertension grade 1-2
Key exclusion criteria1. Any chronic somatic diseases, including CVD associated with atherosclerosis, grade 3 hypertension, chronic heart failure (NYHA III–IV), chronic kidney disease (glomerular filtration rate <60 mL/min/1.73m2), liver disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, acute and chronic inflammatory diseases, cancer, pregnancy, lactation
2. Refusal to participate in the study
Date of first enrolment05/04/2013
Date of final enrolment16/08/2013

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Russian Federation

Study participating centre

National Research Center for Preventive Medicine
Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation
Petroverigskiy lane, bld. 10
Moscow
101990
Russian Federation

Sponsor information

Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation
Government

Neglinnaya str build.5
Moscow
127994
Russian Federation

Phone +7 (0)495 627 24 00
Email info@rosminzdrav.ru
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/01p8ehb87

Funders

Funder type

Government

Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/05/2016
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot expected to be made available
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publications in peer-reviewed journals
IPD sharing plan

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article results 30/09/2016 Yes No

Editorial Notes

18/10/2016: Publication reference added.