Trial of MitoQ for Raised Liver Enzymes Due to Hepatitis C

Summary

A Phase 2, randomized, double-blind, parallel design trial of two doses of mitoquinone mesylate (MitoQ) and of placebo in patients with chronic Hepatitis C. MitoQ is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that rapidly permeates the lipid bilayer and accumulates within mitochondria in organs such as liver, brain, heart, skeletal muscle. There is strong evidence for increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage leading to apoptosis via caspase activation. Several studies have shown that MitoQ protects cells from apoptosis by acting as a caspase inhibitor and may be effective in reducing cell damage in liver disease. It is hypothesised that administration of MitoQ will lower raised ALT seen in patients with chronic Hepatitis C compared with placebo. Approximately 36 patients who have been unresponsive or not suitable for interferon-based therapy will be enrolled at one centre. Treatment duration will be 28 days with 28 days post-treatment follow-up.

Timeline

Start

2007-03

Primary completion

—

Completion

2007-11

Publications

• Gane EJ, Weilert F, Orr DW, Keogh GF, Gibson M, Lockhart MM, Frampton CM, Taylor KM, Smith RA, Murphy MP. The mitochondria-targeted anti-oxidant mitoquinone decreases liver damage in a phase II study of hepatitis C patients. Liver Int. 2010 Aug;30(7):1019-26. doi: 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2010.02250.x. Epub 2010 May 18.

Drugs

Indications