Sentra PM (a Medical Food) and Trazodone in the Management of Sleep Disorders

Abstract

Sleep disorders are a common and poorly treated disease state. This double blind, four arm placebo-controlled, randomized trial compared (1) low dose trazodone, (2) Sentra PM, a neurotransmitter based medical food, (3) the joint administration of trazodone and the medical food Sentra PM and (4) placebo. There were 111 subjects studied in 12 independent sites. Subjects underwent baseline screening, informed consent and an initial sleep questionnaire. After 14 days subjects underwent a second evaluation by questionnaire. At baseline and Day 14 the subjects underwent 24 hour ECG recordings that were analyzed in the frequency domain of heart rate variability. The specific high frequency parasympathetic autonomic nervous system activity was analyzed. The primary endpoints were sleep latency and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system improvement in sleeping hours. The results showed improvement in sleep latency for the Sentra PM and combination of Sentra PM and trazodone (−41 and −56 minutes P < 0.001). There was an improvement in quality of sleep for the amino acid formulation Sentra PM and the combination (3.86 and 6.48 Likert units on a 10 point scale P < 0.001). There was an activation of circadian activity percent at night in the medical food and combination groups while there was no change in parasympathetic activity in either the placebo or trazodone group. These data indicate that Sentra PM can improve the quality of sleep, the response to trazodone as a sleep medication and parasympathetic autonomic nervous system activity.

Introduction

Restorative sleep is essential for a variety of central nervous system functions including mood, memory and cognition.^1,2 Sleep impacts feelings of depression and perception of pain.^3–12 Circadian rhythms initiate and induce the stages of sleep as well as promote wakefulness. Sleep is controlled by a series of neurotransmitters including serotonin and acetylcholine which are produced from their amino acid precursors tryptophan and choline. Cycling neurotransmitters determine the sleep stages including phase IV delta and REM sleep.^13–19 Adequate production and timely release of these neurotransmitters are necessary for the production of sleep cycles.

Many sleep inducing agents interfere with the reuptake of neurotransmitters, leading to an increase of neuron concentration in the cleft with concurrent intracellular depletion of neurotransmitters including serotonin and acetylcholine. Side effects of sleep medications include depression, daytime somnolence and memory impairment. They may also reduce or abolish REM sleep. Trazodone was chosen for this study as it is the most commonly prescribed sleep aid in the United States even though the primary indication is for depression.

The stages of sleep and circadian autonomic nervous system function can be evaluated using high resolution 24 hour ECG analysis. Parasympathetic autonomic nervous system function is assessed by focusing on the high frequency (HF) band of the heart rate variability signal. In normal subjects, parasympathetic activation and slowing of the heart rate occurs at the initiation of sleep and increases prior to awakening. The activation of the parasympathetic system during sleep should slow the heart rate which becomes more rapid with REM activity. This methodology objectively assesses changes in sleep cycles. The 24 hour ECG recording, in either the time or frequency domain, is established method for assessing autonomic nervous system activity.^20–27 In the time domain, two measurements are most commonly used. Total HRV is measured by SDNN, parasympathetic activity by the RMSSD and sympathetic activity by the fill in. In the frequency domain, sympathetic activity is measured by the low frequency band. The high frequency band is a pure parasympathetic autonomic nervous system measurement with no overlap to other sympathetic influences.^{23,24,28–35}

We recently described nutritional modification of autonomic activity by providing amino acid precursors and other agents to trigger timed release of neurotransmitters associated with sleep cycles and pain syndromes. Our group demonstrated that co-administration of neurotransmitter precursors with a pharmaceutical drug can preserve or enhance the efficacy of a medication at the lowest FDA approved dose.^36,37

Medical foods⁴⁹ are a distinct FDA regulatory category different from single molecule chemical pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. The FDA has regulated amino acid preparations as drugs since the 1940s because they can elicit pharmacologic effects similar to conventional single molecule pharmaceuticals. The best known amino acid preparations are used to treat conditions such as maple syrup disease. An official definition and categorization of medical foods was made in 1988 as part of the Orphan Drug Act. Medical foods are regulated similarly to drugs except they do not require preapproval because their ingredients are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and their claims are confined to the nutritional management of a specific disease. Medical food claims must be supported by recognized scientific data as determined by medical evaluation. There has been growth in the number of medical foods and in their clinical applications.

The medical food used in this study contains precursors to serotonin and acetylcholine in a patented system that promotes amino acid uptake and neurotransmitter release. The concentrations of amino acids are provided in low milligram doses. Sentra PM promotes specific neurotransmitter production. The amino acid precursors in the formulation augment neurotransmitters proven to be deficient in patients with sleep disorders. Serotonin and acetylcholine initiate sleep, elicit REM sleep and promote delta sleep.^38–43 Serotonergic activity increases during wakefulness and is necessary to induce sleep and serotonin deficiencies that lead to insomnia. Serotonin is also involved in wakefulness. Acetylcholine activity is crucial in promoting REM sleep and agonist or supplementation leads to increased REM sleep. The precursor 5-hydroxytryptophan is converted to serotonin to initiate sleep; choline is converted to acetylcholine, bursts of which are essential for REM sleep. The preparation is a patented five component system to (1) provide a neurotransmitter precursor, (2) stimulate uptake of the amino acids before deamination, (3) trigger neurotransmitter release, (4) a system to relieve the adenosine brake which slows neurotransmitter synthesis and release, (5) polyphenols to prevent receptor up regulation. The five part system allows for a substantial reduction of the neurotransmitter precursors used in the amino acid preparation and prevents attenuation.⁴⁴

Materials and Methods

This four arm, double blind placebo controlled trial of trazodone 50 mg at bedtime, to the amino acid preparation Sentra PM, the co administration of the two agents, and placebo involved 111 subjects. We measured sleep parameters, assessed depression, anxiety and performed 24 hour ECG analysis for HRV.

Prior to site selection, the study was approved by an independent review board. Each subject was administered and signed an informed consent document at each site prior to beginning any study activities.

Protocol

The study was conducted at twelve independent sites around the United States. At each site informed consent was obtained, screening procedures were performed including complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel, height, weight, and blood pressure. The metabolic panel and CBC were monitored to assess possible hepatic, renal, or gastrointestinal toxicity due to study drugs.

Subjects were identified in response to solicitation of persons interested in being prescribed a medical food that may support restful sleep. Subjects were enrolled in 12 separate physicians’ offices. Men and non-pregnant, non-lactating women between the ages of 18 and 75 years with a history of sleep disturbance lasting more than six weeks and defined by perceived lack of restorative sleep were enrolled by the study physician in each site. Subjects currently taking tri-cyclic anti-depressants were excluded, as well as subjects who had previously taken Sentra PM, trazodone or another amino acid formulation. Subjects with biochemical abnormalities that would put the subject at risk or invalidate study findings were excluded. Lactating or pregnant females and subjects with pacemakers or other implanted electrical devices were excluded.

The study involved 111 subjects in a four arm double blind randomized trial comparing placebo alone (N = 25), trazodone alone (N = 36), Sentra PM alone (N = 28), or the combined use of Sentra PM and trazodone (N = 22). On the Day 1 visit, the subjects were randomized to one of four groups: (1) trazodone alone group which was treated with a two capsule dose of a Sentra PM-like placebo at bedtime and trazodone 50 mg daily at bed time (2) Sentra PM alone group which was treated with the active Sentra PM at a two capsule dose at bedtime and a single trazodone like placebo at bedtime, (3) the combined group which were treated with active Sentra PM at a two capsule dose at bedtime and an active trazodone 50 mg at bedtime, and (4) a placebo dose of two Sentra PM placebo and trazodone placebo at bedtime. The active and trazodone tablets were identical. The Sentra PM active and placebo capsules were identical. The study was approved by an independent review board prior to subject enrollment.

A 24 hour ECG recording was performed for heart rate variability (HRV) analysis of autonomic nervous system function.⁴⁵ After the washout period, there was a baseline Day 1 visit when the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a Leeds Sleep Evaluation Visual Analogue Scale (LSEQ) were performed.⁴⁶ The subjects filled out PSQI and LSEQ forms daily for the next 14 days. On Day 14 the subjects returned for repeat blood sampling and a final 24 hour ECG recording.

Primary endpoint

The primary endpoint of the study was quality of sleep as assessed by sleep latency and morning grogginess measured by the LSEQ and the PSQI.^47,48 Secondary endpoints included duration of sleep, number of awakenings, snoring, depression and anxiety scores and 24 hour monitoring of HRV.

Safety

There were no adverse events or complications reported among any of the groups during the duration of the study.

24-Hour ECG

The high frequency (HF) band of the frequency transformation of the QRS interval reflects parasympathetic autonomic nervous system activity. From midnight to 5 am circadian rhythms showed increased parasympathetic activity. Sleep disorders are associated with failure to activate this surge in parasympathetic activity.

In this analysis, the HF band was measured at midnight as baseline. We then measured 5 minute epochs at 15 minute intervals until 5 am with 20 epochs measured. Each of these epochs was compared to the midnight baseline for each subject. This was expressed as a percent change for each epoch. The sum of the 20 epochs was computed for each subject at baseline and at day 14. The sum of the 20 epochs has been termed the circadian index. Thus, for each of the 111 subjects, we analyzed approximately 17,000 beats estimated at a heart rate of 80 for these measurements. A total of 1,860,000 beats were analyzed for this analysis. The number of beats of each epoch as a sum at baseline was compared to the same measurement at day 14. The data of the delta was statistically compared.

The results are outlined in Table 1 and Figure 1. The placebo group fell a total of 25%, the trazodone, fell 18% (P = NS compared to placebo), the subjects treated with Sentra PM increased 33% (P < 0.01) and the group treated with both Sentra PM and trazodone increased by 52% (P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference between placebo and trazodone. Both Sentra PM alone and combined administration showed a statistically different response compared to placebo. Both Sentra PM alone and combined administration resulted in activation of suppressed parasympathetic activity during nighttime circadian parasympathetic activity.

Table 1.

Change in parasympathetic nervous system activity shown by circadian index in each group after 14 days.

Treatment group	Percent change from baseline to Day 14
Placebo (S1T2)	−25.55
Trazodone (S1T1)	−18.11
Sentra PM (S2T1)	33.30
Sentra PM/trazodone (S2T2)	52.65

Notes: The circadian index was computed at baseline and Day 14. The baseline and Day 14 circadian index was expressed as a percent change from baseline.

Figure 1.

Change in Parasympathetic Nervous System Activity in each Group after 14 Days.

Note: The circadian index is depicted for all four groups in absolute numbers from Baseline to Day 14.

Statistical Analysis

An independent biostatistician analyzed the data using the certified database. The statistical analysis was performed by methods described in Allain, et al for the LSEQ and by Jindal et al for the PSQI.⁴⁸ The baseline demographics and initial measurements of the active and placebo groups were statistically compared. The HRV data was analyzed using continuous variables with the assumption of normal distributions. All randomized subjects were included, both intention to treat and completed subjects were analyzed.

Continuous variables were analyzed using t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine statistical differences among the four groups at entry and at the completion of treatment. Variances were tested for equivalence. When not equivalent, corrections for unequal variance were used. Contingency tables were used to analyze the dichotomous variables. A P = 0.05 was used to establish statistical significance.

Results

Of the 111 enrolled subjects, 110 completed the study. The subjects who did not complete were carried forward as an intention to treat. Uneven randomization occurred as a result of higher enrollment rates at some clinical sites however, this did not affect the statistical outcome of the study. Table 2 demonstrates the four study groups were statistically comparable on entry into the trial. Laboratory values in each of the four study groups including CBC, alkaline phosphatase (Alk Phos), Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Transaminase (ALT) were similar at baseline.

Table 2.

Baseline measurements across all study groups.

Treatment group	Quality	Depression	Groggy	Mean ± SD
				Anxiety	Awakings	Snore	Latency	Hrs slept
Placebo	2.15 ± 1.9	4.2± 3.0	24.9± 3.0	4.4 ± 3.3	3.4 ± 1.7	3.8 ± 2.9	83.4 ± 69.1	6.0 ± 7.3
Trazodone	4.39 ± 2.6	4.9 ± 3.7	27.8 ± 3.7	4.4 ± 3.5	3.8 ± 2.5	3.8 ± 2.2	62.4 ± 61.6	5.1 ± 2.2
Sentra PM	2.52 ± 2.7	3.1 ± 3.2	34.5 ± 3.2	3.0 ± 3.3	3.8 ± 1.6	4.9 ± 3.6	68.4 ± 46.8	6.5 ± 7.8
Both	2.3 ± 2.7	3.1 ± 2.6	33.6 ± 2.6	3.1 ± 2.9	3.0 ± 1.4	4.5 ± 2.7	72.3 ± 55.7	4.8 ± 2.1

Significant changes were observed between the 3 active groups and placebo after 14 days (Table 3). Sleep observations quantified by PSQI increased from 0.95 in placebo to 1.98 (NS compared to placebo) in the trazodone group, 3.86 (P < 0.01) in the Sentra PM group alone and 6.48 (P < 0.01) in the both Sentra PM and trazodone group on a 10 point PSEQ scale. The number represents the delta between the baseline and day 14 data.

Table 3.

Day 14 measurements of endpoints across each study group.

	Quality	Depression	Groggy	Anxiety	Awakings	Snore	Latency	Hrs slept
Placebo	0.95	1.13	2.8	1.092	−0.76	−0.628	−17	1.46
Trazodone	1.98 NS	−0.922**	18.9**	0.314 NS	−1.58*	−1.45 NS	−28 NS	1.48 NS
Sentra PM	3.86**	−1.15**	−19.3**	−0.018*	−1.61*	−2.45 NS	−41*	1.18 NS
Both	6.48**	−2.3**	−28.4**	−0.155*	−0.25	−2.77**	−56**	2.01 NS
P-value	−0.001

Perceived morning grogginess increased 2.8 percent (LSEQ) from baseline to Day 14 in the placebo group and by 18% in the trazodone alone. By contrast, it decreased by 19.3% in the Sentra PM group and decreased by 28.4% in the group receiving both Sentra PM and trazodone. This represents a 37% difference between trazodone alone and Sentra PM alone.

Depression, as assessed by the PSEQ scale, increased by 1.13 units by the 14th day in the placebo group. In the trazodone group depression decreased by 0.93 units (P < 0.01), by 1.15 units in the Sentra PM treated group (P < 0.01) and by 2.3 units (P < 0.01) in the group treated with both trazodone and Sentra PM.

Discussion

The data from this study indicates that a medical food designed to correct nutritional deficiencies can promote more efficient and effective management of sleep disorders. Amelioration of nutritional deficiencies is an important adjunct to pharmacologic disease management especially in elderly patients who are particularly susceptible to sleep difficulties and medication side effects. Nutritional deficiencies are exacerbated in the geriatric population due to impaired protein absorption and metabolism.⁵⁰ This treatment option avoids the potential for dependence on medication and reduces the side effects of sleep drugs.

Nutrient management of disease has been fundamental since the advent of therapeutic medicine. Evidence based examples of contemporary observations augmented by scientific advances is mandatory. Tepaske, et al administered an arginine based preparation to patients prior to cardiac surgery improving post-operative creatinine clearance and immune function. Fonarow, et al^51,52 demonstrated improved clinical outcomes in congestive heart failure treated with amino acid neurotransmitter precursors. These two examples reinforce the opportunity that nutrient management affords clinicians. A recent study from our group demonstrated that a medical food reduced inflammation and symptoms in patients with chronic back pain.

A 50 mg dose of bedtime trazodone did not show statistically significant improvement in sleep latency, duration or quality of sleep. It did cause morning grogginess and a mild improvement in depression without impact on perceived anxiety. The medical food Sentra PM shortened time to fall asleep and improved sleep quality without morning grogginess. Sentra PM reduced depression and feelings of anxiety. Trazodone taken with the medical food produced greater improvement in all parameters compared to either trazodone or Sentra PM alone. The improvements were observed without increased morning grogginess.

Subjects in the group that received the combination of trazodone and Sentra PM responded most significantly since both interventions affect cholinergic and serotonergic pathways differently and therefore have a synergistic effect on sleep latency. The Sentra PM obviates against the trazodone side effects by providing the appropriate neurotransmitter precursors. Trazodone is then able to use more of the existing neurotransmitters rather than depleting them as it would without the medical food. This cellular technology not only improves the clinical effect but also the subject’s measured parasympathetic function. In addition, the combination of a medical food providing neurotransmitter precursors and a low dose pharmaceutical drug would decrease long term side effects and prevent attenuation of effect.

Heart rate may be altered by sympathetic activity or by parasympathetic (vagal) activity. Sympathetic and parasympathetic systems are opposite acting branches of the autonomic nervous system; this is referred to as the sympathovagal balance and is reflected in the beat-to-beat changes of the cardiac cycle.^24,53,54 Beat to beat changes of the cardiac cycle can vary; this is called Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV can be measured by several techniques one of which is 24 hour ECG analysis. HRV measured by 24 hour ECG analysis is related to prognosis in a number of disease states such as congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus and sleep disorders.

HRV analysis by ECG is a complex methodology. This measurement can be performed in what is called the Time Domain, measuring RR intervals in milliseconds or in the Frequency Domain using MHz and power. Time Domain HRV measurements utilize statistical methods such as mean and standard deviation of the RR-Interval. Spectral analysis of the RR tachogram measures the effect of the sympathetic and parasympathetic modulation of the RR-intervals. Spectral HRV converts the RR-Interval measurements to frequency using Fast Fourier analysis.^{23,24,55–58} The HRV spectrum is then divided into various spectral bands. The two main frequency bands of interest are referred to as the Low-Frequency (LF) band (0.04 to 0.15 Hz) and the High-Frequency (HF) band (0.15 to 0.4 Hz).

It is known that parasympathetic autonomic nervous system (PANS) function in normal subjects increases from midnight to 5 AM, a reflection of circadian rhythm.^23,24,59,60 This increase is independent of an individual’s attempt to stay awake. The increase in PANS depends on release of acetylcholine in the brain. Patients with sleep disorders do not activate PANS during the expected circadian activation. Also, the sinus arrhythmia observed in younger people that is gradually lost with age is a well recognized manifestation of HRV. In this study, the medical food increased the subjects PANS after day 14 during the circadian activation period in both the medical food and combined with trazodone. We have previously demonstrated that another amino acid based medical food using GABA also increases circadian PANS. Thus, a medical food that provides precursors to the important parasympathetic autonomic nervous system neurotransmitter acetylcholine increases both clinical evidence of improved sleep function but also increases physiologic markers of PANS. The data provided by 24 hour HRV provides objective validation of the clinical observations.

The study of 111 subjects from 12 sites demonstrated improvement in clinical outcomes for the medical food alone or even more so in combination. It would be important to extend the study for a longer period to assess the absence of tolerance developing. Sentra PM with and without Trazodone is an alternative to conventional pharmaceutical sleep aides which have the potential for dependence and are not commonly indicated for long term use.

The ingredients in the medical food are defined by the FDA as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) and in this formulation the doses fall within the daily amount normally found in the American diet. The FDA has published extensive reviews of the safety of amino acids in both nutrient and pharmacologic doses. In addition, the FDA did not find any pharmacokinetic interaction between amino acids and pharmaceuticals. The observed superior results of the medical food taken concurrently may reflect increased availability of neurotransmitters in the relevant synapse.