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Evaluating the Synergism of Soluble Dietary Fiber With Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Slow Transit Constipation

Phase 2
Conditions
Slow Transit Constipation
Interventions
Other: Placebo
Procedure: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)
Registration Number
NCT02291354
Lead Sponsor
Jinling Hospital, China
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the synergism of Soluble Dietary Fiber with Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Adult Patients with Slow Transit Constipation.

Detailed Description

Constipation is a chronic disease estimated to affect about 10% - 15% of the worldwide general population. Recent evidence in the literature and collected in our laboratory confirm that constipation can be a consequence of intestinal dysbiosis, which may affect the motility and metabolic environment of colon.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is temporarily effective for patients with slow transit constipation. However, the transplanted microflora cannot maintain for a long time. Along with the gut microbiota returning to the original state, the symptoms relapse.

Pectin is a kind of soluble dietary fiber, producing short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) after a series of fermentation by gut flora to supply the energy for epithelial cells, regulate intestinal PH, promote intestinal motility and join effort in immune regulation with intestinal lymphoid tissue. Therefore, we conceive that pectin could promote the colonization of probiotics and reduce adhesion of pathogens.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
UNKNOWN
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
50
Inclusion Criteria
  • Chronic constipation according to Rome III criteria, defined as two or fewer spontaneous, complete bowel movements (SCBMs) per week for a minimum of 6 months;
  • Age ≥ 18 years;
  • BMI: 18.5-25 kg/m2;
  • Slow colonic transit confirmed by colonic transit test (colonic transit time (CTT) > 48 hours);
  • Normal anorectal manometry, with no evidence of dyssynergia and confirmed ability to expel rectal balloon;
  • No radiographic evidence of functional (i.e. pelvic floor dyssynergia) or anatomical (i.e. significant rectocele and intussusception) impediment to the expulsion of the radio-opaque contrast;
  • Disease duration > 1 year;
  • Traditional treatment with dietary modification, laxatives (including osmotic and stimulant laxatives), and biofeedback tried over the past 6 months without success;
Exclusion Criteria
  • Bowel constipation due to innate factor (i.e. megacolon) or secondary interventions (i.e. drugs, endocrine, metabolic, neurologic or psychologic disorders);
  • History or evidence of gastrointestinal diseases (i.e. obstruction, cancer, inflammatory bowel diseases) ;
  • Previous abdominal surgery, except cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, tubal ligation and cesarean section;
  • Previous proctological or perianal surgery;
  • A constipation condition meeting the Rome III criteria for IBS or functional abdominal pain syndrome;
  • Pregnant or breast-feeding women;
  • Infection with enteric pathogen;
  • Usage of probiotics, prebiotics and/or synbiotics within the last month;
  • Usage of antibiotics and/or PPIs within the last 3 months;
  • Smoking or alcohol addiction within the last 3 months;
  • Uncontrolled hepatic, renal, cardiovascular, respiratory or psychiatric disease;
  • Disease or therapy with drugs (i.e. antidepressants, opioid narcotic analgesics, anticholinergics, calcium antagonists, nitrates, antimuscarinics) that, in the opinion of the investigator, could affect intestinal transit and microbiota.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
FMT + PectinFecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)Patients allocated to experiment group will receive standard FMT, followed by 24g pectin each day for 12 weeks.
FMT + PlaceboPlaceboPatients allocated to control group will receive standard FMT, followed by placebo for 12 weeks.
FMT + PlaceboFecal microbiota transplantation (FMT)Patients allocated to control group will receive standard FMT, followed by placebo for 12 weeks.
FMT + PectinPectinPatients allocated to experiment group will receive standard FMT, followed by 24g pectin each day for 12 weeks.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Proportion of patients having on average three or more SCBMs/week12 weeks

Proportion of patients having on average three or more spontaneous, complete bowel movements (SCBMs) per week was evaluated at week 4 and 12.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Usage of laxatives or enemas as rescue medication12 weeks

If patients did not have a bowel movement for 3 or more consecutive days, they were permitted to take up to 20 g of Macrogol 4000 powder (Forlax). If ineffective, enema were used. Patients kept daily diaries about the rescue medication when used.

Bowel habit assessments12 weeks

Patients kept daily diaries about times of bowel movements each day, stool consistency, degree of straining severity during defecation, and degree of sensation of incompleteness of evacuation.

Constipation-related symptoms assessments12 weeks

Constipation-related symptoms were evaluated using the validated Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire at week 4 and 12.

Quality-of-Life assessments12 weeks

Quality-of-Life was evaluated using the validated Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PACQOL) self-report questionnaire at week 4 and 12.

Colonic transit time measurements12 weeks

Colonic transit time (CTT) was measured at week 4 and 12 with the Metcalf method.

Adverse events12 weeks

Adverse events include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, increased bloating, borborygmi, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, nasopharyngitis, and any other disorders.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Generay Surgery, Jinling hosptal, Medical School of Nanjing University

🇨🇳

Nanjing, Jiangsu, China

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