The primary objective of this pilot study is to assess the feasibility of a large,full-scale study that would evaluate the regulating effects of TRIA-662 on serum triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In this study, patients will first enter a Single-blind, dietary-controlled baseline period and receive 1000 mg placebo or active drug three times daily with meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 6 - 8 weeks. Upon completion of the 6 to 8 -week dietary-controlled baseline period, subjects meeting all inclusion and no exclusion criteria will be randomized to the double-blind treatment period. In the double-blind treatment period patients will be randomized such that at least 48 subjects will be randomized to TRIA-662 and at least 16 patients will be randomized to placebo (3:1 ratio). The forced-dose titration will be achieved as follows: Weeks 1 - 2: Two 500 mg tablets three times daily with meals (total daily dose 3000 mg); Weeks 3 - 14: Two 1000 mg tablets three times daily with meals (total daily dose 6000 mg).~Investigational product will be administered three times daily with meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Down titration to 3000 mg daily (two 500 mg tablets, three times daily) is allowed in the event that a patient cannot tolerate the 6000 mg daily treatment for the stipulated period. Under this scenario, the down-titrated patient will remain on the tolerated dose for the remainder of the study. Lipid and ancillary exploratory parameters will be evaluated during the baseline period, upon randomization and throughout the active treatment period. Throughout the study, patients must adhere to a heart-healthy diet, abstain from/minimize ethyl alcohol intake and control any other variables that may alter serum lipid levels (e.g., exercise, weight loss programs, drugs including over the counter agents preparations that may alter serum lipid levels. Safety and tolerability will be assessed throughout the trial through the evaluation of physical exams, electrocardiograms (ECGs), routine hematology and blood chemistry testing, vital signs and adverse events.
The purpose of this pilot study is to learn what study factors are important in designing a large, full-scale study of the effects of TRIA-662 on serum triglycerides (TG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. In this study, patients will first enter a Single-blind, dietary-controlled baseline period and receive 1000 mg placebo or active drug three times daily with meals (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) for 6 - 8 weeks. If the qualify to continue, they will then receive up to 2000 mg of active or placebo drug for an additional 14 weeks. Active drug will be given to 48 patients and placebo drug will be given to 16 patients. However, neither the patients not the clinic staff will know which patients are on active or placebo drug until the end of the study.