Safety Study of Ibuprofen to Treat Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury

The Rho-Inhibitor Ibuprofen for the Treatment of Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Investigation of Safety, Feasibility and Pharmacokinetics

The Ibuprofen - Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) - Safety trial investigates tolerability and feasibility of "small molecule" (Ibuprofen) mediated Rho-inhibition as putative neuroprotective, plasticity-enhancing and neurorestaurative intervention. The primary safety analysis is based on the incidence of severe gastrointestinal bleedings. In addition, the feasibility of recruitment procedure, and oral administration of the compound within the multidisciplinary setting of acute intensive medical care will be explored. Furthermore, the pharmacokinetics of Ibuprofen under the condition of acute motor complete SCI will be investigated. Secondary endpoints will permit preliminary statements about effects on neuropathic pain, spasticity, and neurological function.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Acute SCI of the cervical spine due to trauma
• Time frame of 4-21 days post-trauma
• Motor complete injury AIS A and B
• Neurological level of the lesion C4-T4
• No participation in a different clinical trial according to German Pharmaceuticals Act (AMG) 1 month before and during participation in the current trial
• The patient has been informed and his/her written consent has been obtained
• Age: 18 to 65 years
• For women of reproductive age: Negative pregnancy test and highly effective contraception (defined as Pearl Index < 1) or sexual abstinence during participation in the trial

Exclusion Criteria:

• Multifocal lesions of the spinal cord
• Penetrating spinal cord injury
• Accompanying traumatic brain injury (TBI) with visible structural lesions including intracranial hemorrhage on diagnostic imagesSigni
• Significant accompanying injury to the peripheral nervous system, particularly plexus lesions
• Acute or chronic systemic diseases accompanied by neurological deficits or that have caused permanent neurological deficits which may overlay or hinder the registration of sensomotor functions (e.g. multiple sclerosis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, HIV infection, Lues etc.)
• Malignant neoplasms, except if these are in complete remission.
• Mental diseases or dementia which, in the investigator's opinion, limit the patient's cooperation in respect of the intake of the study medication and/or significantly hinder the registration of follow-up parameters
• Hemophilia
• History of myocardial infarction or stroke
• Current and persistent misuse of illegal drugs or alcohol
• Hypothermia below 35 C°
• Pregnancy and lactation
• All further contraindications to the study medication, including other ingredients of the pharmaceutical form according to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
• Known hypersensitivity to the active substance contained in the concomitant medication Pantoprazole or one of the components of the drug.
• Intake of Ibuprofen or intake of other active substances from the group of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., Diclofenac, Indometacin) or the intake of NSAIDs in maximum recommended daily doses during one week prior to enrolment in the trial
• Simultaneous intake of salicylates, particularly acetylsalicylic acid
• Simultaneous intake of oral anticoagulants
• Simultaneous intake of systemic glucocorticoids
• Unwilling to consent to storage and transfer of pseudonymized medical data for the purpose of the clinical trial
• Admitted to an institution by a court or official order (pursuant to AMG §40 (1) 4)