Conditions: Healthy
Allocation: RANDOMIZED | Intervention model: PARALLEL
Enrollment: 105
Healthy volunteers: yes

Brief summary:
The objective of this study was to determine the magnitude and duration of the reduction in pH (acidification) following a single dose of Acidform vaginal gel containing 3, 4, or 5 g compared with hydroxyethylcellulose placebo gel (4 g) or no treatment. Vaginal pH was measured 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, then once daily for 7 days. In addition, the participants were assessed for an exploratory endpoint to the determine effect of one dose of Acidform gel (3, 4 or 5 g) or placebo gel (4 g) or no treatment, on asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Detailed description:
One hundred healthy volunteer women, 20 per each treatment arm, were treated with either Intravaginal Acidform Gel(IVAG), 5 g dose (GROUP A), Acidform gel, 4 g dose (GROUP B), Acidform gel, 3 g dose (GROUP C), Universal Placebo Gel (UPG), 4 g (GROUP D) or no treatment (GROUP E). For GROUPS A, B, C and D, treatment is defined as speculum exam plus instillation of Investigational Product (IP) or placebo gel. For GROUP E (control), no treatment is defined as speculum exam and no gel instillation.

At least 15 women in each group were of either African American or Hispanic ethnicity. Routine screening tests were performed on admission; and subjects assessed for BV via vaginal swabs obtained for grading by Amsel criteria.

A direct vaginal pH reading by research staff- was obtained before the speculum exam, as well as one hour, and six hours post-treatment (Day 0). At the one hour and six hour post treatment time points, the direct vaginal pH readings were taken on specimens collected from two different positions in the vagina, in case of incomplete distribution of the IP soon after administration. Both readings are included as data points. At the six hour timepoint, subjects were trained on self-collecting vaginal swabs and performing the vaginal pH test. At 12 hours post-treatment, subjects performed the vaginal pH test themselves using self-obtained swabs, and record their results for clinician review.

Subjects stayed overnight in the domiciliary unit, and vaginal pH and Amsel criteria was measured again by research staff at 24 (+/- 2) hours post-treatment before discharge on Day 1. The subjects were discharged with the appropriate pH testing supplies and diary. All women agreed to abstain from sexual intercourse, douching and use of any intravaginally applied products or devices until after their final study visit on Day 7.

Subjects measured their vaginal pH at 24 (+/-2) hour intervals for 5 days (Days 2-6) as outpatients and recorded the pH test results, and any change in vaginal comfort, in a provided diary. Subjects also recorded any activities engaged in from the abstinence criteria in the study exclusion list, if applicable, each day. On Day 7, subjects returned to the clinic with their diaries, had their vaginal pH and Amsel criteria determined by the clinic staff, and queried as to any vaginal discomfort (vaginal comfort assessment) over the course of the study, as self-recorded in their diaries.

Arms:
arm 1: Administration of a single vaginal dose of Acidform gel (5 g) arm 2: Administration of a single vaginal dose of Acidform gel (4 g) arm 3: Administration of a single vaginal dose of Acidform gel (3 g) arm 4: Administration of a single dose of hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) placebo gel (4 g) arm 5: No vaginal product administered

Interventions: intervention 1: Acidform 5 g intervention 2: Placebo 4 g intervention 3: Acidform 4 g intervention 4: Acidform 3 g
Intervention descriptions: intervention 1: Effect of 5 g vaginally administered Acidform on pH over 7 days intervention 2: Effect of 4 g of vaginally administered HEC placebo gel on pH over 7 days intervention 3: Effect of 4 g vaginally administered Acidform on pH over 7 days intervention 4: Effect of 3 g vaginally administered Acidform on pH over 7 days

Protocol document: