A Pilot Study: Micro and NanoPlastics in Association With Crohn's 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
- This is an observational study: the protocol does not assign a study treatment.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Crohn's Disease (CD). Basic parameters: 18 years — 80 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
- Hong Kong
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Integrated Multi-phase Investigation of Role of Micro and NanoPlastics in Association With Crohn's Disease: Targeting Microbiome, Immunity, and Barrier Dysfunction: A Pilot Study
Overview
Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) are environmental contaminants found in food and water. Recent evidence suggests these particles may be linked to intestinal inflammation and changes in gut bacteria, which are key features of Crohn's Disease (CD). This study aims to investigate if patients with Crohn's Disease have a reduced ability to clear these plastic particles and how this affects their immune system and intestinal health.
Detailed description
Micro and nanoplastics may influence Crohn's Disease activity and gut health by impairing microplastic-degrading capacity of the gut microbiome due to the decreased plastic-degrading genes (PDGs) encoding enzymes (e.g., esterases, cutinases, PETases, laccases). Persistent Microplastics (MPs) drive worsening dysbiosis, which in turn amplifies immune activation, evidenced by increase in pro-inflammatory cytokines and disrupts intestinal barrier integrity. The resulting barrier leakage facilitates further MPs translocation, perpetuating disease exacerbation. This study is looking at the effects of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) on the gut microbiome, immune function, and intestinal barrier function.
Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and healthy controls will be recruited during routine clinic visit or on the day of their scheduled colonoscopy following written informed consent.
In this study, demographic data (age, sex, smoking and alcohol status), as well as past medical and surgical history and current medications will be collected. A questionnaire focused on plastic-packaged foods in daily lives will also be administered.
All recruited subjects will have biopsies taken at their scheduled colonoscopy within 4 weeks of recruitment. Stool and blood will be collected cross-sectionally at recruitment.The fecal calprotectin tests and the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI) will be used to assess the severity.
The flow cytometry to quantify cell populations; multiplex ELISA to determine levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and a phagocytosis assay will be used for the scientific outcome measurements of the samples collected.
Primary outcome measures
- Micro- and nanoparticle abundance between subjects with Crohn's Disease and controls [Time frame: Cross-sectional when the blood sample and the intestinal biopsy are collected.]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Plastic-degrading gene [PDG] abundance between subjects with Crohn's Disease and controls. [Time frame: Cross-sectional when the stool, blood sample and the intestinal biopsy are collected.]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
Cases:
- Age 18-80 years
- Confirmed diagnosis of Crohn's disease (for cases)
- Ability to provide informed consent.
Control:
- Age 18-80 years old
- No history of major large bowel resection
- Ability to provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
Cases:
- Antibiotic/probiotic use within 4 weeks
- History of gastrointestinal malignancy
- Presence of stoma
- Currently Pregnant
- Advanced terminal medical illness, e.g. terminal malignancies; end staged renal failure and liver failure
Control:
- Currently Pregnant
- Advanced terminal medical illness, e.g. terminal malignancies; end staged renal failure and liver failure
- Inability in giving consent
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Study design
- Observational model
- Case-control
Study locations
Hong Kong · 1 center
- Prince of Wales Hospital — Hong Kong
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07630883 · PLASTIC-CD