Trial Outcomes & Findings for Prolonged Hypoxic Breathing in Healthy Volunteers: a Safety Study (NCT NCT02860975)

NCT ID: NCT02860975

Last Updated: 2026-04-27

Results Overview

The average of the lowest SpO2 recorded during daytime hours over the 7 days timeframe of the study.

Recruitment status

TERMINATED

Study phase

NA

Target enrollment

5 participants

Primary outcome timeframe

7 days

Results posted on

2026-04-27

Participant Flow

Participant milestones

Participant milestones
Measure
Inhaled Nitrogen
A humidified mixture of gas will be delivered by mask, nasal cannulae, and small room-sized tent. Inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) will be gradually decreased to 11% over a period or five days to obtain a peripheral capillary O2 saturation (SpO2) between 80%-85% (corresponding to 40-55 mmHg of arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2)). Healthy volunteers will be monitored and blood and urine will be obtained at 24h and 48 hours after returning to normoxia. Inhaled Nitrogen: To create the correct gas mixture, nitrogen tanks or membrane technology nitrogen generators will be utilized. Humidified, high flow, hypoxic gas by nasal cannula will allow the participant to walk short distances, eat, execute basic personal needs (e.g., use of toilette, washing, bathing etc.), or take breaks from wearing the mask.
Overall Study
STARTED
5
Overall Study
COMPLETED
5
Overall Study
NOT COMPLETED
0

Reasons for withdrawal

Withdrawal data not reported

Baseline Characteristics

Prolonged Hypoxic Breathing in Healthy Volunteers: a Safety Study

Baseline characteristics by cohort

Baseline characteristics by cohort
Measure
Inhaled Nitrogen
n=5 Participants
A humidified mixture of gas will be delivered by mask, nasal cannulae, and small room-sized tent. Inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) will be gradually decreased to 11% over a period or five days to obtain a peripheral capillary O2 saturation (SpO2) between 80%-85% (corresponding to 40-55 mmHg of arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2)). Healthy volunteers will be monitored and blood and urine will be obtained at 24h and 48 hours after returning to normoxia. Inhaled Nitrogen: To create the correct gas mixture, nitrogen tanks or membrane technology nitrogen generators will be utilized. Humidified, high flow, hypoxic gas by nasal cannula will allow the participant to walk short distances, eat, execute basic personal needs (e.g., use of toilette, washing, bathing etc.), or take breaks from wearing the mask.
Race (NIH/OMB)
Asian
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Age, Categorical
<=18 years
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Age, Categorical
Between 18 and 65 years
5 Participants
n=226 Participants
Age, Categorical
>=65 years
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Female
1 Participants
n=226 Participants
Sex: Female, Male
Male
4 Participants
n=226 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Hispanic or Latino
2 Participants
n=226 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Not Hispanic or Latino
3 Participants
n=226 Participants
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
American Indian or Alaska Native
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Black or African American
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
White
5 Participants
n=226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
More than one race
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Race (NIH/OMB)
Unknown or Not Reported
0 Participants
n=226 Participants
Region of Enrollment
United States
5 participants
n=226 Participants
BMI
26.2 kg/m^2
STANDARD_DEVIATION 2.2 • n=226 Participants

PRIMARY outcome

Timeframe: 7 days

The average of the lowest SpO2 recorded during daytime hours over the 7 days timeframe of the study.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Inhaled Nitrogen
n=5 Participants
A humidified mixture of gas will be delivered by mask, nasal cannulae, and small room-sized tent. Inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) will be gradually decreased to 11% over a period or five days to obtain a peripheral capillary O2 saturation (SpO2) between 80%-85% (corresponding to 40-55 mmHg of arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2)). Healthy volunteers will be monitored and blood and urine will be obtained at 24h and 48 hours after returning to normoxia. Inhaled Nitrogen: To create the correct gas mixture, nitrogen tanks or membrane technology nitrogen generators will be utilized. Humidified, high flow, hypoxic gas by nasal cannula will allow the participant to walk short distances, eat, execute basic personal needs (e.g., use of toilette, washing, bathing etc.), or take breaks from wearing the mask.
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation
81.4 percentage of SpO2
Standard Deviation 0.9

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 5 days

The average of erythropoietin levels over 5 days of hypoxia exposure.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Inhaled Nitrogen
n=5 Participants
A humidified mixture of gas will be delivered by mask, nasal cannulae, and small room-sized tent. Inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) will be gradually decreased to 11% over a period or five days to obtain a peripheral capillary O2 saturation (SpO2) between 80%-85% (corresponding to 40-55 mmHg of arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2)). Healthy volunteers will be monitored and blood and urine will be obtained at 24h and 48 hours after returning to normoxia. Inhaled Nitrogen: To create the correct gas mixture, nitrogen tanks or membrane technology nitrogen generators will be utilized. Humidified, high flow, hypoxic gas by nasal cannula will allow the participant to walk short distances, eat, execute basic personal needs (e.g., use of toilette, washing, bathing etc.), or take breaks from wearing the mask.
Erythropoiesis
18.7 mu/ml
Standard Deviation 5.6

SECONDARY outcome

Timeframe: 5 days

The average of the highest pulmonary pressure over the 5 days of hypoxia exposure.

Outcome measures

Outcome measures
Measure
Inhaled Nitrogen
n=5 Participants
A humidified mixture of gas will be delivered by mask, nasal cannulae, and small room-sized tent. Inspiratory oxygen fraction (FiO2) will be gradually decreased to 11% over a period or five days to obtain a peripheral capillary O2 saturation (SpO2) between 80%-85% (corresponding to 40-55 mmHg of arterial partial oxygen pressure (PaO2)). Healthy volunteers will be monitored and blood and urine will be obtained at 24h and 48 hours after returning to normoxia. Inhaled Nitrogen: To create the correct gas mixture, nitrogen tanks or membrane technology nitrogen generators will be utilized. Humidified, high flow, hypoxic gas by nasal cannula will allow the participant to walk short distances, eat, execute basic personal needs (e.g., use of toilette, washing, bathing etc.), or take breaks from wearing the mask.
Pulmonary Pressure
34.2 mmHg
Standard Deviation 3.6

Adverse Events

Inhaled Nitrogen

Serious events: 0 serious events
Other events: 0 other events
Deaths: 0 deaths

Serious adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Other adverse events

Adverse event data not reported

Additional Information

Dr. Lorenzo Berra

Massachusetts General Hospital

Phone: 6177245100

Results disclosure agreements

  • Principal investigator is a sponsor employee
  • Publication restrictions are in place