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MRI and Microbiota Analysis in Constipation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Constipation
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: Maltodextrin
Dietary Supplement: Ispaghula
Registration Number
NCT02144376
Lead Sponsor
University of Nottingham
Brief Summary

The purpose of the study is to test how well magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can measure whole gut transit time in people with constipation, and how readily it can detect a change in transit time induced by taking a dietary supplement with laxative effects.The investigators expect to demonstrate that ispaghula (psyllium) accelerates movement of matter through the intestinal tract.

The investigators will also assess whether a change in gut bacteria and the chemicals that they release can be detected.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
24
Inclusion Criteria
  • Meets Rome III Criteria for diagnosis of Functional Constipation5 on questionnaire (NB. Both those who do and do not meet IBS criteria will be eligible)
  • At least one bowel motion per week while taking usual laxatives
  • Able to give informed consent
  • Aged 18 or older
Exclusion Criteria
  • History declared by the candidate of other pre-existing gastrointestinal disorder, including but not limited to:
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Coeliac Disease diagnosed in the last year
  • Pancreatitis
  • Cancer of the gastrointestinal tract
  • Any reported history of gastrointestinal resection (excluding appendicectomy or cholecystectomy)
  • Presence of an intestinal stoma
  • Pregnancy declared by candidate (no formal testing)
  • Contraindications for MRI scanning i.e. metallic implants, pacemakers, history of metallic foreign body in eye(s) and penetrating eye injury
  • Reported alcohol intake of >28 units/ week with daily drinking
  • Any use of a product containing ispaghula or psyllium in the 4 weeks prior to consent
  • Unable to avoid use of dihydrocodeine or morphine during the study
  • If taking other regular opiates such as codeine, fentanyl or Oxycodone, participants should be able to maintain a stable dose throughout the study
  • Any reported history of hypersensitivity or significant adverse reaction to ispaghula, maltodextrin or bisacodyl
  • Unable to stop drugs and other agents used primarily for their laxative effect, during periods of screening, washout, baseline and treatment (maximum 15 days - rescue medication will be provided).
  • Antibiotic or prescribed probiotic treatment in the past 4 weeks
  • Inability to lie flat or exceed scanner limits of weight <120kg
  • Poor understanding of English language
  • Participation in any medical trials for the past 3 months
  • Any condition where the candidate is likely to require a course of antibiotics in the next 3 months e.g. severe chronic respiratory disease, recurrent urinary tract infection, lower limb ulceration
  • Judgement by the PI that the candidate who will be unable to comply with the full study protocol e.g. Diabetes, severe COPD

During the screening 2 weeks off laxatives

  • No bowel motions recorded during screening period
  • ≥3 complete spontaneous bowel motions (CSBMs - bowel motion with the feeling of complete evacuation, without the use of rescue therapy in the preceding 24 hours) per week

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
MaltodextrinMaltodextrin7 days without use of laxatives other than standardised rescue therapy 7 grams maltodextrin taken 3 times daily, at least 4 hours apart, for up to 7 days
IspaghulaIspaghula7 days without use of laxatives other than standardised rescue therapy 7 grams ispaghula/ psyllium taken 3 times daily, at least 4 hours apart, for up to 7 days
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Weighted Average Position Score of transit marker capsules as determined by MRI24 hours after ingestion

After 4 days of study product participants will ingest 5 transit mark capsules, the use of which has been shown to measure whole gut transit in a similar manner to more established techniques. They will continue to take study product before undergoing an MRI scan to assess capsule position

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Weighted Average Position Score of 5 transit marker capsules, as determined by MRI48 hours after ingestion

After 4 days of study product participants will ingest 5 transit mark capsules, the use of which has been shown to measure whole gut transit in a similar manner to more established techniques. They will continue to take study product before undergoing an MRI scan to assess capsule position

Small Bowel Water Content (SBWC) in millilitres(mL) measured by MRI-60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 minutes after test meal

Area under the curve (mL.min) will be calculated from hourly MRI scans

Small Bowel Water Content (SBWC) in millilitres measured by MRIBaseline, 60 minutes before test meal

After 5 days of taking the study product participants will undergo an MRI scan while fasted.

Ascending Colon Water Content in millilitres measured by MRI-60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 minutes after test meal

Area under the curve (mL.min) will be calculated from hourly MRI scans

Change from baseline in Ascending Colon Water Content in millilitre measured by MRItest meal -60, test meal +60

Difference between measurement Meal -60 (fasting) and Meal +60

Change from before to after challenge meal in Ascending Colon Water Content before in millilitre measured by MRItest meal +360 minutes, test meal + 420 minutes

Difference between time points Meal2 -20 and Meal 2 +40

Ascending Colon T1-60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 minutes after test meal

Area under the curve of MRI parameter measured at hourly time points

Descending Colon T1-60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 minutes after test meal

Area under the curve of MRI parameter measured at hourly time points

Ascending colon T2-60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 minutes after test meal

Area under the curve of MRI parameter measured at hourly time points

Descending Colon T2-60, 0, 60, 120, 180, 240, 300, 360, 420 minutes after test meal

Area under the curve of MRI parameter measured at hourly time points

Trial Locations

Locations (2)

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

🇬🇧

Nottingham, United Kingdom

University of Nottingham

🇬🇧

Nottingham, United Kingdom

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