Walking-related ischemia-reperfusion in people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) is associated with calf skeletal muscle fiber atrophy and impaired mitochondrial function. These calf muscle abnormalities are associated with functional impairment and mobility loss in people with PAD. Yet few medical therapies exist to improve mobility or prevent disability in PAD patients. Recent evidence suggests that the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) telmisartan may reverse the skeletal muscle abnormalities present in PAD. In normal mice, telmisartan increases the quantity of Type I skeletal muscle fibers, improves mitochondrial function, increases oxygen consumption, and enhances exercise performance. Also in mice, ARBs reduce fibrosis after muscle injury and enhance satellite cell-dependent muscle regeneration after muscle injury. We hypothesize that these favorable effects on skeletal muscle in mice may repair the ischemia-reperfusion related calf muscle injury observed in patients with PAD. In support of our hypothesis, a small pilot trial in humans showed that telmisartan improved treadmill walking performance in people with PAD. The primary aims of the TELEX Trial are to definitively establish a) whether telmisartan alone improves walking performance in people with PAD compared to placebo and b) whether the combination of telmisartan plus supervised exercise improves walking performance more than telmisartan alone and supervised exercise alone, respectively. To achieve our aims, we will conduct a randomized controlled clinical trial (2 x 2 factorial design) of 240 PAD participants randomized to one of four arms: Group A: telmisartan + supervised exercise therapy; Group B: telmisartan + a no exercise control group; Group C: placebo + supervised exercise therapy; and Group D: placebo + a no exercise control group. Our primary outcome is change in six-minute walk performance between baseline and 6-month follow-up. Our secondary aims will measure change in treadmill walking performance, patient-reported walking performance (measured by the Walking Impairment Questionnaire), and quality of life (measured by the Short Form-36 Physical Functioning score). In exploratory aims, we will obtain calf muscle biopsies to delineate biologic pathways by which these therapies improve functioning. In addition to establishing the therapeutic benefit of telmisartan with and without exercise, the TELEX Trial will identify biological pathways associated with improved functional performance in people with PAD.

Public Health Relevance

Patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD) have greater walking impairment and increased mobility loss, compared to people without PAD. Yet few effective therapies have been identified to help patients with PAD improve their walking impairment or prevent mobility loss. Based on promising preliminary evidence, we hypothesize that telmisartan, an oral angiotensin receptor blocker, will improve walking ability and prevent functional decline in people with PAD. We further hypothesize that telmisartan combined with supervised exercise will have substantially greater benefit than either individual therapy alone.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HL126117-01
Application #
8798370
Study Section
Aging Systems and Geriatrics Study Section (ASG)
Program Officer
Reid, Diane M
Project Start
2015-08-17
Project End
2020-04-30
Budget Start
2015-08-17
Budget End
2016-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$796,682
Indirect Cost
$269,027
Name
Northwestern University at Chicago
Department
Internal Medicine/Medicine
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
005436803
City
Chicago
State
IL
Country
United States
Zip Code
60611
McDermott, Mary M (2018) Exercise Rehabilitation for Peripheral Artery Disease: A REVIEW. J Cardiopulm Rehabil Prev 38:63-69
McDermott, Mary M (2018) Medical Management of Functional Impairment in Peripheral Artery Disease: A Review. Prog Cardiovasc Dis 60:586-592
McDermott, Mary McGrae; Kibbe, Melina R (2017) Improving Lower Extremity Functioning in Peripheral Artery Disease: Exercise, Endovascular Revascularization, or Both? JAMA 317:689-690
McDermott, Mary M (2017) Exercise training for intermittent claudication. J Vasc Surg 66:1612-1620