Dietary oil shows promise for rare muscle disorder
NCT ID NCT02919631
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether a dietary oil called triheptanoin can improve exercise capacity in adults with McArdle disease, a rare genetic disorder that affects how muscles use stored sugar. Twelve participants received either triheptanoin or a placebo oil for two weeks, then switched after a washout period. Researchers measured heart rate during cycling and fatigue levels to see if the oil helped.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Triheptanoin (a dietary oil)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, triheptanoin could improve exercise tolerance and reduce fatigue in people with McArdle disease.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, early-phase trial with only 12 participants. Results may not apply to everyone, and the oil may not show meaningful benefit over placebo.
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 2
Tests whether the treatment actually works, and watches for side effects, in a larger group.
- Participants
-
12 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2016
- Finished
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Jun 2017
- Lead sponsor
-
A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
-
18 to 65 years
- Sex
-
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: * Male or female between 18 and 65 years of age, * Genetically and/or biochemically verified diagnosis of McArdle disease * Body Mass Index of 18-32 * Women in child-bearing age on contraceptive treatment with: Birth control pills, coil, ring, transdermal hormone patch injection of gestagen or subdermal implant. * French national health insurance * Signed informed consent * Available for phone calls Exclusion Criteria: * Minor * Significant cardiac or pulmonary disease * Pregnancy (confirmed by urinary-HCG) or breastfeeding. Pregnancy not planned and to be avoided during the study by use of effective contraceptive methods. * Persons deprived of their liberty by judicial or administrative decision * Adult subject under legal protection or unable to consent * Treatment with beta-blockers * Inability to perform cycling exercise * Any other significant disorder that may confound the interpretation of the findings * Person subject to an exclusion period for a previous clinical trial
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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
-
Pitié-Salpêtrière,centre de référence de pathologie neuromusculaire, 47 Bd de l'hôpital
Paris, 75651, France