Could a Mitochondria-Targeting pill ease asthma in obesity?
NCT ID NCT04026711
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This completed Phase 1 trial tested whether MitoQ, a drug that targets cell energy centers, can improve airway reactivity in 47 obese adults with poorly controlled asthma. Participants took MitoQ or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. The study aimed to see if MitoQ could help control asthma symptoms in this specific group.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- MitoQ (mitoquinol)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, MitoQ could offer a new way to improve asthma control in people with obesity by targeting metabolic dysfunction.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase pilot study with only 47 participants. Results may not apply to all asthma patients, and the treatment may not show significant benefit.
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
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
47 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
-
Jan 2020
- Finished
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Mar 2024
- Lead sponsor
-
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
-
18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
-
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. participant reported physician diagnosis of asthma 2. participant reported on regular prescribed controller therapy for at least 3 months 3. positive methacholine challenge (as determined by spirometry PD20 or oscillometry PD50 ≤ 4.0 mg/ml at visit 2) 4. age: ≥18 years 5. BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 (at visit 1) 6. poorly controlled asthma defined as one of the following: 1. Asthma Control Test5 Score ≤ 19 (at visit 1), or 2. Participant reported use of rescue inhaler on average \> 2 uses/week for preceding month, or 3. Participant reported nocturnal asthma awakening on average 1 or more times / week in preceding month, or 4. Participant reported ED/hospital visit or prednisone course for asthma in past six months 7. ability and willingness to provide informed consent Exclusion criteria: 1. participant reported use of an investigational agent in the prior 30 days 2. participant reported physician diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 3. pregnancy and/or participant reported lactation 4. females of childbearing age who do not agree to practice an adequate birth control method for the duration of the study (abstinence, combination barrier and spermicide, or hormonal) 5. participant reported greater than 10 pack year smoking history 6. participant reported smoking conventional tobacco products (cigar, cigarette, \& pipes) within the last 6 months 7. participant reported e-cigarette use more than 2x/week 8. participant unwilling to withhold e-cigarette use for the duration of the study 9. participant reported vaping more than 2x/week 10. participant unwilling to withhold vaping for the duration of the study 11. participant reported marijuana use (inhalation) more than 2x/week 12. participant unwilling to withhold marijuana use (inhalation) for the duration of the study 13. participant reported sinus surgery performed ≤ 4 weeks from visit 1 14. participant reported eye surgery within the prior 3 months 15. participant reported use of the antioxidants idebenone or co-enzyme Q10 within 8 weeks 16. participant reported tendency to develop severe nose bleeds 17. FEV1 ˂ 60% predicted or \< 1.5 Liters at visit 1 18. participant reported treatment for asthma exacerbation in the previous 4 weeks 19. participant was not able to complete at least 50% of the days on the diary cards returned at visit 2 20. other significant disease that in the opinion of the investigator would interfere with the study
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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
-
Duke University
Durham, North Carolina, 27710, United States
-
University of Vermont
Burlington, Vermont, 05405, United States
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