Recruitment

Recruitment Status
Recruiting
Estimated Enrollment
80

Summary

Conditions
Emphysema
Type
Interventional
Phase
Phase 4
Design
Allocation: RandomizedIntervention Model: Parallel AssignmentMasking: Double (Participant, Investigator)Masking Description: Subject and study team are masked to which arm subject is assigned (study drug or placebo). Investigational pharmacy will not be masked. For the non-smoker groups, both subjects and the study team will know which group they are assigned to (study drug or no medication).Primary Purpose: Basic Science

Participation Requirements

Age
Between 21 years and 65 years
Gender
Both males and females

Description

The purpose of this research study is to find out if smoking cessation combined with sildenafil, an FDA approved drug for pulmonary hypertension, will decrease inflammation in the lung. Even if a smoker stops smoking, the harmful effects caused by previous smoking may recruit inflammatory cells to t...

The purpose of this research study is to find out if smoking cessation combined with sildenafil, an FDA approved drug for pulmonary hypertension, will decrease inflammation in the lung. Even if a smoker stops smoking, the harmful effects caused by previous smoking may recruit inflammatory cells to those affected areas, leading to lung injury. In about 30-40% of smokers, this inflammation combined with irregular blood flow in the lungs may lead to emphysema. The study goal is to measure and compare individual responses to smoking cessation, Sildenafil and placebo used three times per day, and imaging of the lungs using non-contrast and contrast CT scans to see if there is a possible decrease of inflammation and an increase of blood flow in the lungs. The study also intends to see if using Sildenafil three times per day, in addition to smoking cessation will restore blood flow to the possible injured areas of the lungs. Sildenafil is an FDA approved medication for pulmonary hypertension but will be used off-label to study the effects it may or may not have on the blood flow in possible injured areas of the lungs. Non-smokers will be enrolled to compare lung imaging and the effects of Sildenafil on their lungs with that of smokers undergoing a smoking cessation program with placebo or Sildenafil. Non-smokers will complete identical measurements as smokers, with Sildenafil used three times per day or no medication across a similar 90 day period of time. Vascular measurements of pulse wave velocity, carotid artery compliance/stiffness and pressure wave reflection will be done at baseline and 90 day visits.

Tracking Information

NCT #
NCT03382106
Collaborators
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Investigators
Principal Investigator: Eric Hoffman, PhD Professor