Trial of MitoQ for Raised Liver Enzymes Due to Hepatitis C
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2007-11-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
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.