The Effect of Oral Administration of 9-cis β Carotene Rich Powder of the Alga Dunaliella Bardawil

Sheba Medical Center

Status and phase: Active, not recruiting; Phase 2; Phase 1

Conditions: Retinitis Pigmentosa

Treatments: Other: Placebo (starch); Dietary Supplement: Alga Dunaliella Bardawil

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT01680510

SHEBA-12-9373-YR-CTIL

Details and patient eligibility

About

Retinitis pigmentosa is a genetically disease consisting of progressive retinal degeneration starting in the rods. Its prevalence is 1:4000 people and is the fourth most common blinding disease in Israel in 2004 [7% of all blindness]. The investigators treated a non-progressive form of the disease [Fundus Albipunctatus] by oral therapy of the food supplement made from alga Dunaliella Bardawil composed of approximately 50% 9-cis β-carotene. The alga Dunaliella Bardawil accumulates high concentration of β -carotene when grown under appropriate conditions. The β -carotene of the alga is composed of approximately 50% of all-trans - β carotene and 50% 9-cis β -carotene.

The 9-cis β -carotene has been shown to be a precursor of 9-cis retinoic acid both in-vitro in human intestinal mucosa and in-vivo in a ferret, perfused with 9-cis b-carotene. The night vision, as measured objectively by electroretinography (ERG) more than doubled in six patients tested following treatment. The visual field was also improved significantly. In a more recent study the investigators treated 29 retinitis pigmentosa patients with the 9-cis b Carotene algae Dunaliella Bardawil in a double masked placebo control cross over trial. Significant improvement in retinal function was recorded in 34% of the patients.

Enrollment: 100 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Written informed consent to participate in the study.
• Men or women aged 18 years or older.
• Electroretinogram (ERG) responses compatible with the diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa

Exclusion criteria

• Current smokers.
• Current use of Vitamin A/ beta carotene supplements.
• Active arterial disease within 3 months of study entry such as unstable angina, myocardial infarction, transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.
• History of malignancy, except basal or squamous cell skin carcinoma.
• Pregnant women, women who are breast feeding, and women of childbearing potential who are not using chemical or mechanical contraception.
• Uncontrolled hypertension defined as either resting diastolic blood pressure of >95mmHg (taken from the mean of 3 readings) or resting systolic blood Pressure of > 180 mmHg.
• History of alcohol abuse or drug abuse, or both.
• Patient plans to engage in vigorous exercise or an aggressive diet regimen.
• Uncontrolled endocrine or metabolic disease.
• Participation in another investigational drug study within 4 weeks of entry into this study.
• Serious or unstable medical or psychological condition that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the subject's safety or successful participation in the study.
• Subject whose hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or oral contraceptive therapy (OCT) was initiated within the 3 month prior to enrollment.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Crossover Assignment

Masking: Quadruple Blind

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100 participants in 2 patient groups, including a placebo group

Alga Dunaliella Bardawil 9-cis beta Carotene Rich Powder

Experimental group

Description:

50 patients will receive first the capsules containing the alga Dunaliella Bardawil 9-cis beta-Carotene rich powder and after 24 weeks of washout period will receive capsule containing placebo (Starch).

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Alga Dunaliella Bardawil

Other: Placebo (starch)

Placebo (Starch)

Placebo Comparator group

Description:

The other 50 Patients will receive first the placebo (Starch) capsules and after 24 weeks of washout period will receive capsules containing the alga Dunaliella Bardawil 9-cis beta-Carotene rich powder .

Treatment:

Dietary Supplement: Alga Dunaliella Bardawil

Other: Placebo (starch)