Fish oil and Aspirin-Like drug may ease diabetic nerve pain
NCT ID NCT05169060
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This early study tests whether fish oil, alone or with salsalate (an anti-inflammatory drug), can improve blood markers linked to nerve health in people with type 2 diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. About 100 adults will take fish oil capsules for 4 months, then add salsalate for 2 more months. The goal is to see if this combination safely increases anti-inflammatory substances in the blood, which could eventually lead to a treatment for nerve damage.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Fish oil and salsalate
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new treatment for diabetic nerve pain and damage.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study (100 people) looking at blood markers, not symptoms. The combination may not actually help nerve pain or could cause side effects like stomach issues.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
-
Phase 1/2
Runs two stages together: safety and dose first, then whether the treatment works.
- Participants
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About 100 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Started
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Jun 2023
- Expected to finish
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Jul 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: 1. T2D according to American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria (38). 2. Age ≥ 18 yr. 3. HbA1c \< 9.5%. 4. Presence of DPN based on Michigan Neuropathy Screening Instrument (combined questionnaire and a clinical examination of the response to vibration perception examination using a 128 Hz tuning fork and ankle reflexes), a validated, sensitive, and specific instrument for the diagnosis of DPN as reported (39,40). Pin prick sensation will be performed (as measures of small-fiber neuropathy) for DPN confirmation (41-43). 5. Be willing and capable of providing a written consent form and willing and able to cooperate with the medical procedures for the study duration. 6. Women of childbearing potential must be willing to use appropriate contraception during the entire trial. Exclusion Criteria: 1. History of any other causes of neuropathy (e.g. other neurological disorders, medications-induced, occupational history, active hepatitis C infection, exposure to toxins). 2. History of persistent macroalbuminuria \[random urine microalbumin creatinine ratio (ACR) up to 300 mg/gm\]is acceptable if calculated GFR is \>60 (16). 3. Serum creatinine \>1.4 for women and \>1.5 for men or eGFR \<60 \[calculated using the CKD-EPI equation\]. 4. Use of warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), dipyridamole (Persantine), heparin or other anticoagulants, probenecid (Benemid, Probalan), sulfinpyrazone (Anturane) or other uricosuric agents; Participants must agree to not use high-dose aspirin during the course of the study. Daily low-dose aspirin treatment (not more than 81 mg per day) may be continued if currently prescribed. 5. Uncontrolled hypertension 6. Triglyceride \> 400 mg/100ml. 7. History of previous organ transplantation (kidney, pancreas, liver, lung or cardiac transplantation). 8. History of drug or alcohol abuse within 5 years, or current weekly alcohol consumption \>10 units/week. 9. Pregnancy or breast feeding or desire to become pregnant in the next 12 months 10. Requiring long-term glucocorticoid therapy or chronic immunosuppressive therapy including daily use of inhaled glucocorticoids. Periodic or intermittent use of inhaled glucocorticoids (less than daily) is allowable. 11. Participation in an experimental medication trial within 3 months of starting the study. 12. Current therapy for malignant disease other than basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer. 13. History of gastrointestinal bleeding or active gastric ulcer; 14. Screening laboratory abnormalities including AST (SGOT) and or ALT (SGPT) \> 2.5 x the upper limit of normal (ULN), total bilirubin \> 1.5 x ULN, platelets \< 100,000; 15. History of taking fish oil supplements in the 6 months prior to the screening visit. 16. History of fish or shellfish allergy. 17. Presence of any condition that in the opinion of the investigators would make it unlikely for the participant to complete study. 18. Known hypersensitivity to salsalate or inactive ingredients. Patients who have experienced asthma, hives, or other allergic-type reactions to aspirin or other NSAIDs are excluded from participation. 19. Use of lithium. 20. Absent one or both great toes. 21. Untreated hypothyroidism. 22. Severe peripheral vascular, or cardiac disorders including pre-existing atrial fibrillation, pulmonary, or any other disorder affecting blood or tissue oxygenation.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Oregon Health Science University
Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52241, United States
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