Beneficial Effects of Quercetin in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disorder of the lung parenchyma and airways, which is the third-leading cause of death in the USA. Current therapies for COPD are only partially effective and may also have side effects. Although increasing evidence indicates that quercetin supplementation may be beneficial in treating COPD, key methodological issues have not been resolved. The overall objective of this study is to determine the dosage of quercetin supplementation, bioavailability of quercetin, safety, dose-response relationship and appropriate biomarkers which reflect clinical outcomes in patients with COPD that is necessary for conducting large clinical trials in this patient population.

In our preclinical study, we have demonstrated that 4 fold increase in plasma quercetin levels significantly decreased lung inflammation and prevented progression. Clinical studies in healthy volunteers 4 fold increase in plasma quercetin levels (0.22 to 1 µM) could be achieved by supplementing with 500mg of quercetin/day. However, safety of quercetin supplementation and quercetin dose required to achieve 4 fold increases in plasma quercetin levels in 'at-high-risk' COPD population is yet to be established. This study involves two phases; the first phase examines the safety of quercetin supplementation in subjects with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the second phase determines the efficacy of quercetin in COPD patients. In this study, we will enroll COPD patients with mild to moderate disease between the age group of 40 to 65 years. During the first phase, we will enroll a total of 9 patients to examine the tolerance and safety of three doses of quercetin (500, 1000 and 2000 mg/day) in a dose escalation manner. First cohort consisting of three subjects will receive placebo or 500 mg of quercetin per day for one week and the safety of quercetin supplementation will be assessed by monitoring adverse events and any changes in outcomes of blood test that include complete blood counts (CBC)and comprehensive metabolic panel prior to after supplementation. If this dose is safe and tolerated, second cohort of 3 subjects will receive placebo or 1000 mg of quercetin per day quercetin for one week and again safety will be assessed. If the dose is safely tolerated, the third cohort will receive either placebo or 2000 mg of quercetin per day for a week and the safety will be assessed.

Having completed Phase I study at University of Michigan, we planned to do the Phase II efficacy study under separate NCT number. As of 2016 this phase II study has not begun. Based on the initial study, we plan to choose the highest quercetin dose tolerated with no adverse events and the dose (500 mg of quercetin per day) that was found to increase plasma quercetin levels by 4 fold over baseline in healthy volunteers to examine the efficacy of quercetin in reducing inflammatory and oxidative stress markers and improving lung function in COPD subjects. In the second phase, we will enroll a total of 75 subjects and randomized into three arms; placebo (15 subjects) or one of the two doses of quercetin (30 subjects per arm). All enrolled subjects will be asked to avoid quercetin rich foods throughout the study period. One week after enrollment (run-in), subjects will be either supplemented with either placebo or one of the two doses of quercetin for 4 weeks. All participants will be blinded for study agents. Plasma and sputum quercetin levels, lung function, and markers of oxidative stress and inflammation will be determined at the start of the study (following run-in period), at the end of 4 weeks treatment period.

Three of the original outcome measures listed related to this follow up study of 4 weeks treatment which was never begun. Therefore they have been deleted.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Subjects diagnosed with mild to moderate COPD (GOLD stage I, II and III)-
* 10 pack-year smoking history or greater and ceased to smoke at least for 2 months prior to recruitment
* Subjects taking H2 antagonists, Imodium or loratadine and willing to stop during the study period

Exclusion criteria:

* COPD subjects with \>80% or \<35% predicted
* Current smokers
* Known allergy/sensitivity to quercetin
* Subjects with primary diagnosis of asthma
* Upper respiratory tract infection within two weeks of the screening visit
* Acute bacterial infection requiring antibiotics within two weeks of screening
* Emergency treatment or hospitalization within one month of screening
* Pregnant or lactating mothers
* Women who don't consent to take pregnancy test
* Unwillingness to stop flavonoid supplementation
* Dietary intake exceeding or averaging 150 mg quercetin daily as assessed by Bioflavonoid Food and Supplement Screener
* Daily oral steroid treatment, warfarin, cyclosporine (neural, sandimmune), digoxin, fexofenadine, paclitaxel, diltiazem, saquinavir, selected chemotherapeutic agents (etoposide, vinblastine, vincristine, vindesine), antifungals (ketoconazole, itraconazole), protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, nelfinavir), verapamil, oral glucocorticoids, erythromycin, quinidine
* Subjects taking H2 antagonists (cimetidine, ranitidine), loperamide (Imodium) or loratadine and not willing to stop during study period
* Lung cancer history or undergoing chemo- or radiation therapy
* Inflammatory bowel disease
* Child bearing age, who are unwilling to use adequate contraception or abstain during the course of the study.