A double blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial of d-ribose in McArdle's disease

• Published in: Journal of the neurological sciences Vol. 136; no. 1; pp. 174 - 177
• Main Authors: Steele, Ian C., Patterson, Victor H., Nicholls, D.Paul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Shannon Elsevier B.V 01-03-1996; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Carbohydrates (enzymatic deficiencies). Glycogenosis; Cross-Over Studies; d-Ribose; Double-Blind Method; Errors of metabolism; Exercise - physiology; Exercise capacity; Exercise Test; Female; Glycogen Storage Disease Type V - blood; Glycogen Storage Disease Type V - drug therapy; Humans; Leg fatigue; Male; Medical sciences; Metabolic diseases; Middle Aged; Muscle Fatigue - physiology; Myophosphorylase deficiency; Oxygen Consumption - drug effects; Oxygen Consumption - physiology; Ribose - therapeutic use; Myophosphorylase deficiency; Exercise capacity; d-Ribose; Leg fatigue; Human; Treatment; Glycogenosis V Mc Ardle; Ribose; Metabolic diseases; Clinical trial; Carbohydrate; Enzymopathy; Genetic disease
• ISSN: 0022-510X; 1878-5883
• DOI: 10.1016/0022-510X(95)00320-2

To determine whether seven days oral
d-ribose would improve exercise tolerance in a group of 5 patients with McArdle's disease, we performed a double blind placebo controlled crossover trial. Subjects performed weekly treadmill exercise tests with expired gas analysis until their times were reproducible. They then received 60 g
d-ribose daily or placebo for seven days. Exercise testing was repeated on completion of this period. A seven day washout period then followed. Subjects then performed a new baseline exercise test prior to starting the other solution. Again after seven days the exercise test was repeated. There was no significant difference between pre-treatment exercise tests for peak oxygen consumption or level of leg fatigue. Patients did not like taking the ribose and
d-Ribose does not appear to be of benefit to patients with McArdle's disease.