The American journal of gastroenterology
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Am. J. Gastroenterol. · May 2010
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyNCX-1000, a nitric oxide-releasing derivative of UDCA, does not decrease portal pressure in patients with cirrhosis: results of a randomized, double-blind, dose-escalating study.
NCX-1000 (2(acetyloxy) benzoic acid-3(nitrooxymethyl)phenyl ester) is an nitric oxide (NO)-releasing derivative of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), which showed selective vasodilatory effect on intrahepatic circulation in animal models of cirrhosis. This study was aimed at testing the efficacy and tolerability of this compound in patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension. ⋯ In patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension, NCX-1000 administration was safe, but it was not able to reduce portal pressure. A significant reduction of systolic blood pressure and HBF was observed in the treatment arm, suggesting that the drug had systemic effects and lacked selective release of NO at the intrahepatic circulation.