Use of Zinc Carnosine on Intestinal Permeability in Healthy Volunteers Taking Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)

The study was about exploring the influence of zinc carnosine (ZnC) on changes in small bowel permeability caused by indomethacin.

Healthy volunteers (n = 10) participated in this double-blind randomised controlled crossover protocol. Each arm comprised two baseline urine collections, followed by a third at the end of that study period. In each arm, volunteers took ZnC (37.5 mg twice daily, orally) or placebo for 7 days, with indomethacin for the final 5 days.

Results were expressed as lactulose:rhamnose (L:R) ratios and mean values for each stage were therefore estimated: when taking placebo, volunteers had a threefold increase in L:R ratios in response to indomethacin administration (p,0.01), whereas no increase was seen if ZnC was also being taken.

All 10 participants completed the study without protocol violations. Two of ten participants developed mild nondescript upper abdominal discomfort while taking the indomethacin (control) arm, but completed the course. None reported symptoms during the ZnC (plus indomethacin) arm, and no side effects due to ingestion of ZnC were reported.