Tryptophan for Impaired AhR Signaling in Celiac Disease
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: L-Tryptophan, Freedom SimpleCap Powder.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Tryptophan Metabolism Alterations, Celiac Disease. Basic parameters: 18 years — 75 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Canada
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
Unsure about the terms? Read our patient guide →
Official title
Restoration of Impaired Microbiota-mediated Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling in Celiac Disease by Oral Tryptophan Supplementation: an Exploratory, Pilot Trial
Overview
This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory trial to evaluate the effect of L-tryptophan supplementation on celiac-related symptoms in individuals who have biopsy-confirmed celiac disease (CeD) and symptoms non-responsive to a gluten-free diet (GFD). Fifty participants, aged 18 to 75 years, who self-report persistent CeD-related symptoms despite taking a GFD for more than 1 year and who score \> 40 on the Celiac Symptom Index (CSI) will be randomized to receive L-tryptophan or placebo for 3 weeks.
Detailed description
At Visit 1, consented participants will receive study instructions and be randomized 1:1 to L-tryptophan or placebo (SimpleCap). A dietitian will counsel all 50 participants on how to maintain a low tryptophan, gluten-free diet. This diet provides an adequate intake of protein (50 g/day) and energy (1800 kcal/day) while limiting the consumption of high tryptophan-containing foods. Study participants will receive all their intervention capsules at Visit 1 to be taken for 3 weeks, starting the day after Visit 2. At Visits 2 and 3, just before and after the intervention, participants will complete dietary and symptom questionnaires, provide blood, stool, and urine samples, and undergo upper endoscopy to obtain aspirates from the second part of the duodenum, using a sterile catheter followed by six duodenal biopsies, 2 from the first part (bulb) and 4 from the second part of the duodenum. Dietary compliance will be assessed 3-day recalls which will further be analysed by using ESHA Food Processor, a Nutritional Analysis Software.
Interventions
- Drug L-Tryptophan
L-tryptophan is an essential amino acid responsible for activating the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Dietary tryptophan is metabolized by the gut microbiota producing several 'indoles' such as (indole-3-aldehyde (IAld), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3 propionic acid (IPA), indole-3-acetaldehyde (IAAld), indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) and indole-acrylic acid) and tryptamine, which are ligands for the AhR, a nuclear transcription factor involved in activating target genes responsible for maint - Drug Freedom SimpleCap Powder
Freedom SimpleCap Powder is a high functionality capsule and tablet excipient composite comprised of filler, glidant, disintegrant and lubricant (ingredients include: Microcrystalline Cellulose, Silicon Dioxide Colloidal, Sodium Starch Glycolate, Sodium Stearyl Fumarate). This capsule is dye, lactose and gluten free and will not interfere with the AhR pathway. Freedom SimpleCap Powder makes oral capsule formulation convenient, quick and simple Thus, this SimpleCap Powder will be an appropriate p
Primary outcome measures
- Measurement of Celiac Symptom Index (CSI) [Time frame: 3 weeks]
Secondary outcome measures (4)
- Patient Assessment of Upper Gastrointestinal Disorders-Quality of Life questionnaire (PAGI-QoL). [Time frame: 3 weeks]
- Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) [Time frame: 3 weeks]
- Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale (GSRS) [Time frame: 3 weeks]
- Intestinal indole production in the duodenum [Time frame: 3 weeks]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- 18 and 75 years of age
- Celiac disease (CeD) diagnosis: Individuals with histological and serological evidence of CeD serology (positive biopsy and anti-tTG IgA)
- Persistent CeD related symptoms (>40 on the Celiac Symptom Index) despite >1 year of a gluten free diet (GFD)
Exclusion criteria
- Acid anti-secretory and antacid medications
- Antibiotics, antibacterial agents or probiotics, currently, or within the last 8 weeks
- Current organic gastrointestinal or other autoimmune diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease or diabetes mellitus (type 1)
- Lactose and/or fructose intolerance
- History of bariatric surgery, fundoplication or gastrectomy (partial or complete)
- Connective tissue disease
- Concurrent organic GI pathology other than benign polyps, haemorrhoids, lipomas, Helicobacter pylori infection, diverticulosis and melanosis coli
- Chronic treatment with high dose opioids
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Concurrent systemic disease and/or laboratory abnormalities considered by investigators to be a risk or that could interfere with data collection
- Allergy or sensitivity to any component of the study medication or placebo
- Use of lithium and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Participation in another dietary treatment study within the last 4 weeks
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Quadruple blind
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
Study locations
Canada · 1 center
- McMaster University — Hamilton
Identifiers
NCT: NCT05576038 · 14582