Intestinal Barrier Function and Probiotics.

Inflammation Clinical Trial

Official title: A Study Proposal to Investigate the Sequels of Mucosal Inflammation Caused by ETEC Infection - the Effects of Probiotics.

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

Rationale: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) bacteria adhere to the mucosa of the proximal intestines. There it produces an toxin which presents a local and relevant challenge to the intestines. This is proposed to give an indication of general resistance and/or the local resistance of the intestines. The sequel of events of mucosal inflammation will be characterized in this study. In addition we will evaluate the effects of probiotics by comparing the infection symptoms and by measuring faecal weight and mucus in faeces.

Objective: The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of probiotics on the sequels of ETEC administration as intestinal permeability, inflammation and clinical signs as total faecal output, relative faecal dry weight and mucin excretion in faeces. In addition, the sequels of the mucosal inflammation will be characterized and biomarkers will be searched.

Clinical Trial Description

Study population: 36 Healthy male volunteers; age >= 21 and <= 40 years. Intervention: One group receives twice daily two sachets containing 450 billion live freeze-dried lactic acid bacteria per sachet and the other group receives twice daily two placebo sachets.

Study design: The study is designed as a randomized, parallel, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Study substance (probiotics) and placebo will be given during 4 weeks.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study parameter is the percent change in faecal dry weight and total faecal output between the probiotics group and the placebo group. In addition, intestinal permeability, inflammation and other clinical symptoms will be evaluated.

Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness: In this study healthy male volunteers will be challenged with an attenuated ETEC strain after three weeks of either probiotics or placebo. This infection will lead to a mild traveller's diarrhoea in the subjects during approximately three days maximally. Sequels of this infection and the effects of commercially available probiotics compared to placebo will be followed up. The subjects will therefore collect their faeces on several days, record their defecation pattern and gastro-intestinal complaints during four weeks, undergo a physical examination and five venapunctions, and visit our facilities in total on 8 days (excluding two pre-study visits). The oral administration of probiotics in a healthy population is not associated with risk. ;

Study Design

Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Basic Science

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Challenge Test
• Inflammation
• Intestinal Health
• Intestinal Permeability

• NCT number: NCT01241201
• Study type: Interventional
• Source: TNO
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: October 2010
• Completion date: December 2010