An interventional study of Concentrated beetroot juice in Raynaud Phenomenon, sponsored by University of Portsmouth. Completed at 1 site in United Kingdom. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2020-02-10.
Sponsored by University of Portsmouth · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment
Individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon often experience episodes of reduced blood flow to their fingers and toes during times of stress or cold exposure, causing significant discomfort and pain. Typically, treatment for these individuals involves using drugs like Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN), which increases blood flow to the fingers and toes by increasing a substance called nitric oxide in the blood. Unfortunately, repeated use of these drugs increases tolerance to them, meaning higher doses are required to produce the same effect. However, increasing the dose can cause more side effects like headaches, and is therefore not considered an ideal long-term therapy.
Leafy green vegetables, especially beetroot, contain high amounts of nitrate and are beneficial to blood vessel health, since nitrate from the diet can also be turned into the important blood vessel relaxer, nitric oxide. Unlike GTN, people don't appear to develop a tolerance to dietary nitrate or experience negative side effects.
Therefore, this study aims to see if short and longer term beetroot juice supplementation can improve blood flow to the hands and feet in individuals with Raynaud's phenomenon, as well as reduce their pain. This study will tell us how many people are needed for a definitive trial investigating whether beetroot juice can help treat Raynaud's phenomenon.
Raynaud's phenomenon can cause significant discomfort and pain to individuals. Dietary nitrate appears to offer a simple, low cost means of improving blood flow to the hands and feet which should reduce both the discomfort and pain experienced characterising this condition. This study will advance our understanding of the causes of Raynaud's phenomenon, specifically the role that the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway might play in changing Raynaud's phenomenon symptoms and identifying targets for intervention.
Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is characterised by a recurrent transient vasospasm of the fingers or toes in response to a cold or stressful stimulus. Nitric oxide (NO•) is a known vasodilator and NO• donors, such as Glyceryl Trinitrate (GTN), improve blood flow in patients with RP and in cold sensitive individuals (Figure 1, see accompanying document). However, individuals develop a tolerance to GTN and show diminishing vasodilatory effects with chronic treatment. In addition, the deleterious side effects such as headaches means that organic nitrates (i.e. GTN and isosorbide mononitrate) are not optimal longterm therapies for RP. Alternative treatments therefore, warrant further investigation.
Diets rich in fruit and vegetables has been shown to be effective in reducing blood pressure. In addition, it lowers the risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease and are thought to be beneficial to cardiovascular health due to their vasodilatory effects. As diet exhibits such tremendous intra- and inter-individual variation, elucidating which components of such a diet are responsible for this effect is difficult. There is a growing weight of evidence from both human and animal studies that nitrate and nitrite derived from the diet can serve as a source for nitric oxide (NO; please see below), particularly where it is deficient. Indeed, the greatest protective effect on cardiovascular disease is to be found in those diets with the greatest consumption of green leafy and or cruciferous vegetables which typically have high nitrate content.
NO is produced in the body in two ways. The first requires the availability the amino acid L-arginine, molecular oxygen, and families of enzymes, the nitric oxide synthases (NOS); that is the NOS pathway. The second pathway is independent of NOS pathway and involves the stepwise enzymatic and chemical reduction of inorganic nitrate to nitrite. A major source of nitrite in humans is the reduction of dietary nitrate by facultative anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. The remaining nitrite is then absorbed into the circulation where it acts as a storage pool for subsequent NO• production, which is expedited in hypoxaemia.
Localised hypoxemia such as that observed in the digital vasculature of individuals with RP is a potential therapeutic target for dietary nitrate supplementation. In contrast to organic nitrates (GTN), inorganic nitrate (in the form of beetroot juice) does not cause the same negative side effects or demonstrate tachyphylaxis whilst it does notable improve skin blood flow, microvascular function and lower blood pressure (BP) in healthy individuals and chronic conditions such as hypertension, peripheral arterial disease, heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Thus concentrated beetroot juice (CBJ) may offer an inexpensive, safe and potentially effective intervention to improve the pain and reduced peripheral blood flow characterising individuals with RP.
RP can cause significant discomfort and pain to individuals during a vasospasm. Dietary nitrate appears to offer a simple, low cost means of modifying blood flow to the peripheries and, ultimately, reducing both the discomfort and pain experienced by individuals with RP. This study will also advance our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of RP, specifically the role that the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway might play in modulating RP symptoms. An understanding of the effects of concentrated beetroot juice on microvascular blood flow and pain may lead to a range of simple, low cost and effective therapeutic interventions to prevent and treat episodes of RP.
83 studies on the registry are indexed under Raynaud Disease; 8 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 27 is close to the median of 30 across 71 interventional studies indexed under Raynaud Disease.
Browse Raynaud Disease studies →University of Portsmouth is the lead sponsor of 32 studies on the registry; 6 are open to participants now.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Exclusion Criteria:
The participant may not enter the study if ANY of the following apply:
Participants will be asked to consume 140ml of beetroot juice prior to their first experimental visit. Participants will then be asked to consume 70ml a day for 2 weeks and final visit the investigators once more following another 140ml drink.
Dietary Supplement: Concentrated beetroot juice
Participants will be asked to consume 140ml of placebo prior to their first experimental visit. Participants will then be asked to consume 70ml a day for 2 weeks and final visit the investigators once more following another 140ml drink.
Dietary Supplement: Concentrated beetroot juice
Acute and chronic supplementation of beetroot juice.
Peripheral Blood Flow
Peripheral blood flow (CVC = skin flux/MAP; flux.mmHg-1).
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Acute (2 or 23), Chronic (day 16 or 36).
Skin Temperature.
Skin temperature (via thermal imaging).
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Acute (2 or 23), Chronic (day 16 or 36).
Perceived Discomfort
Perceived discomfort. Thermal discomfort were measured using a 20 cm scale (0 = very cold/uncomfortable; 10 = neutral; 20 = very hot/comfortable; modified from Zhang et al. (2004)) and recorded prior to immersion, during immersion and every 2 minutes of the rewarming period.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Acute (2 or 23), Chronic (day 16 or 36).
Acceptability to Participants
Interview. Specifically, semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of the study procedures and consumption of beetroot juice. Interviews were conducted by a researcher with experience in qualitative research methods. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006). Participants were asked about the testing procedures and their thoughts on the juice.
Time frame: During qualitative interviews after the intervention has ended (post day 36).
Overall Number of Participants Recruited
Number of participants who remained in the study
Time frame: From start of study recruitment until the last participant is randomised. Estimated assesment period 6 - 52 weeks
Perceived Pain
Perceived pain. Pain sensation was assessed using a numerical rating scale for pain (0 no pain, 10 unimaginable, unspeakable pain; (Ferreira-Valente et al., 2011)) at the same time points.
Time frame: Baseline (day 1), Acute (2 or 23), Chronic (day 16 or 36).
Feasible to Participants
Feasible to participants via interview. Specifically, semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of the study procedures and consumption of beetroot juice. Interviews were conducted by a researcher with experience in qualitative research methods. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006).
Time frame: During qualitative interviews after the intervention has ended (post day 36).
Establish Retention Rates
Establish retention rates (Descriptive statistics)
Time frame: From date of randomization until the end of the last study visit. Estimated assesment period 6 - 52 weeks
96 people were assessed for eligibility from clinic letters, word of mouth, local groups and via the clinical trials website. Recruitment occurred from 06-07-2017 - 29-05-2018.
| Milestone | Beetroot Juice, Then Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice, Then Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Started | 13 | 13 |
| Completed | 12 | 11 |
| Not completed | 1 | 2 |
Peripheral blood flow (CVC = skin flux/MAP; flux.mmHg-1).
| flux.mmHg-1 | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline (day 1) | 3.7 ± 0.4 | 3.7 ± 0.4 |
| Acute (2 or 23) | 4.1 ± 0.3 | 3.7 ± 0.3 |
| Chronic (day 16 or 36) | 4.7 ± 0.4 | 5.2 ± 0.4 |
Skin temperature (via thermal imaging).
| Degree Celsius | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline (day 1) | 32.4 ± 3.0 | 32.4 ± 3.0 |
| Acute (day 2 or 23) | 32.1 ± 2.9 | 32.0 ± 3.0 |
| Chronic (day 16 or 36) | 32.2 ± 3.4 | 32.4 ± 2.9 |
Perceived discomfort. Thermal discomfort were measured using a 20 cm scale (0 = very cold/uncomfortable; 10 = neutral; 20 = very hot/comfortable; modified from Zhang et al. (2004)) and recorded prior to immersion, during immersion and every 2 minutes of the rewarming period.
| score on a scale | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline (day 1) | 13.4 ± 3.8 | 13.4 ± 3.8 |
| Acute (day 2 or 23) | 13.1 ± 3.2 | 12.6 ± 3.7 |
| Chronic (day 16 or 36) | 13.5 ± 3.5 | 12.9 ± 3.0 |
Interview. Specifically, semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of the study procedures and consumption of beetroot juice. Interviews were conducted by a researcher with experience in qualitative research methods. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006). Participants were asked about the testing procedures and their thoughts on the juice.
| Participants | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptability to Participants | 10 | 10 |
Number of participants who remained in the study
| Participants | Concentrated Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|
| Overall Number of Participants Recruited | 23 |
Perceived pain. Pain sensation was assessed using a numerical rating scale for pain (0 no pain, 10 unimaginable, unspeakable pain; (Ferreira-Valente et al., 2011)) at the same time points.
| score on a scale | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Baseline (day 1) | 0.2 ± 0.6 | 0.2 ± 0.6 |
| Acute (day 2 or 23) | 0.3 ± 0.8 | 0.2 ± 0.6 |
| Chronic (day 16 or 36) | 0.2 ± 0.6 | 0.9 ± 2.7 |
Feasible to participants via interview. Specifically, semi-structured interviews explored participants' experiences of the study procedures and consumption of beetroot juice. Interviews were conducted by a researcher with experience in qualitative research methods. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through thematic analysis as outlined by Braun and Clarke (2006).
| Participants | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Feasible to Participants | 10 | 10 |
Establish retention rates (Descriptive statistics)
| Participants | Overall Number of Participants Analyzed |
|---|---|
| Establish Retention Rates | 23 |
Collected over Two weeks for each intervention.. Non-serious events are listed at a 1% frequency threshold.
| Group | Deaths | Serious | Other |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concentrated Beetroot Juice | 0/26 (0%) | 0/26 (0%) | 3/26 (11.5%) |
| Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | 0/26 (0%) | 0/26 (0%) | 2/26 (7.7%) |
| Event | Concentrated Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice |
|---|---|---|
| GI distressGastrointestinal disorders | 1/26 | 1/26 |
| Nausea / sicknessGeneral disorders | 1/26 | 1/26 |
| Hot flushBlood and lymphatic system disorders | 1/26 | 0/26 |
| Age, Categorical(Participants) | Beetroot Juice, Then, Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice, Then, Beetroot Juice | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| <=18 years | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Between 18 and 65 years | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| >=65 years | 7 | 8 | 15 |
| Age, Continuous(years) | Beetroot Juice, Then, Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice, Then, Beetroot Juice | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean | 65.7 ± 16.0 | 63.0 ± 15.2 | 64.3 ± 15.3 |
| Sex: Female, Male(Participants) | Beetroot Juice, Then, Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice, Then, Beetroot Juice | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female | 8 | 11 | 19 |
| Male | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| Race (NIH/OMB)(Participants) | Beetroot Juice, Then, Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice, Then, Beetroot Juice | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Asian | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Black or African American | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| White | 10 | 12 | 22 |
| More than one race | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown or Not Reported | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Region of Enrollment(Participants) | Beetroot Juice, Then, Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice | Nitrate Depleted Beetroot Juice, Then, Beetroot Juice | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 11 | 12 | 23 |
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Plan to share: No — There is no plan to release IPD, until all avenues of further funding have been exhausted.
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University of Portsmouth