Musculoskeletal Effects of Bicarbonate
Muscle Loss, Fractures, Osteoporosis, Age Related
About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Muscle Loss focused on measuring potassium bicarbonate, urinary N-telopeptide, urinary nitrogen, net acid excretion
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- men and women
- age 60 and older
- community dwelling
- women 1 yr since last menses
Exclusion Criteria:
Medications:
Oral glucocorticoids for > 10 days in the last 3 months
- Cortef (hydrocortisone)
- Prednisone
Parenteral glucocorticoids
• Decadron (dexamethasone)
Osteoporosis medications in the last 6 months
- Forteo (teriparatide)
- Calcimar, Miacalcin (calcitonin)
- Evista (raloxifene)
Osteoporosis medications in the last 2 years
- Fosamax (alendronate)
- Didronel (etidronate)
- Aredia (pamidronate)
- Actonel (risedronate)
- Reclast (zoledronate)
- Tamoxifen in the last 6 months
Calcium/Parathyroid
- Rocaltrol (calcitriol)
- Zemplar (paricalcitol)
- Drisdol, Ergocalciferol
Diuretics currently
- hydrocholorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Diuril (chlorothiazide)
- Thalitone (chlorthalidone)
- Zaroxolyn (metolazone)
- Dyazide
- Maxide
- Moduretic
- Lasix (forosamine)
- Dyrenium (triamterene)
- Midamor
- Testosterone or estrogen in the last 6 months (vaginal estrogen okay)
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors currently
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Moexipril (Univasc)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers currently
- Candesartan (Atacand)
- Eprosartan (Teveten)
- Irbesartan (Avapro)
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Olmesartan (Benicar)
- Telmisartan (Micardis)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
Over-the-Counter Drugs currently
Antacids - any antacid that contains calcium carbonate, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, or calcium acetate - selected examples include
- TUMS
- Mylanta
- Maalox
- Titralac
- Rolaids
- Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
- Note: magaldrate or Riopan® is allowed
- Potassium supplements
- Salt substitutes
Conditions/Diseases
- renal disease including kidney stones in the past 5 years or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) < 60 ml/min/1.73 m2
- hyperkalemia (serum potassium >5.3 meq/L; normal range 3.5-5.3 meq/L)
- elevated serum bicarbonate (serum bicarbonate > 29 mmol/L; normal range 22-29 mmol/L)
- cirrhosis
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) requiring treatment with alkali-containing antacids (TUMS, Mylanta, Maalox, Titralac, Rolaids, or sodium bicarbonate)
- hyperparathyroidism
- untreated thyroid disease
- significant immune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis
- current unstable heart disease
- active malignancy or cancer therapy in the last year
- fasting spot urine calcium/creatinine > 0.38 mmol/mmol after 1 wk off of calcium supplements
- congestive heart failure, arrhythmias (surgically treated arrhythmias acceptable), or myocardial infarction in last 12 months
- serum calcium outside the normal range of 8.3-10.2 mg/dl
- uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (fasting blood sugar > 130)
- alcohol use exceeding 2 drinks/day
- peptic ulcers or esophageal stricture
- weight <45 or >113.5 kg (<99 or >249.7 lbs)
- other abnormalities in screening labs, at discretion of the study physician (the PI)
Sites / Locations
- Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Arm 3
Active Comparator
Active Comparator
Placebo Comparator
potassium bicarbonate low dose
potassium bicarbonate higher dose
placebo
potassium bicarbonate in dose of 1.0 mmol/kg per day, given in three even daily doses after meals with a full glass of water
potassium bicarbonate in dose of 1.5 mmol/kg per day, given in three even daily doses after meals with a full glass of water
microcrystalline cellulose