A Randomized Controlled Trial of Rikkunshito (TJ-43) in Functional Dyspepsia Patients Recruited From Primary Care

Status: Recruiting
Location: See location...
Intervention Type: Other, Drug
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Phase 3
SUMMARY

Dyspepsia refers to chronic or recurrent upper gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms originating from the gastroduodenal region with a significant impact on patients' lives. Functional dyspepsia comprises the diagnostic categories of epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) with epigastric pain or burning and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) with meal-related fullness or early satiation, which are unexplained after routine investigation including upper GI endoscopy 2. Despite the common occurrence of FD in up to 15% of the general population, the underlying pathophysiology remains unclear and no treatments of proven efficacy are available in Europe for this condition. Our group has demonstrated increased duodenal mucosal permeability and low-grade inflammation in FD patients, correlating with meal-related symptoms. The causes of the barrier defect and immune activation are unknown but candidates include psychological stress, luminal food components, (bile) acid and microbiota. The symptoms most closely associated with increased eosinophil counts in the duodenum are early satiation and postprandial fullness, which are typical PDS symptoms, and which are also associated with impaired gastric accommodation to meal ingestion and delayed gastric emptying. Previously the efficacy of the Kampo medicine Rikkunshito (TJ-43) has been shown in FD. The exact mode of action remains to be determined. Previous studies have provided mechanistic evidence that rikkunshito is able to improve gastric accommodation, improve food intake and enhance circulating levels of the orexigenic gut peptide ghrelin. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Rikkunshito in comparison to placebo in PDS patients recruited from primary care in Belgium, and to evaluate whether this is associated with changes in duodenal mucosal low-grade inflammation.

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 18
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Voluntary written informed consent of the participant or their legally authorized representative has been obtained prior to any screening procedures

• Use of highly effective methods of birth control; defined as those that, alone or in combination, result in low failure rate (i.e., less than 1% per year) when used consistently and correctly; such as implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptives, some IUDs, true sexual abstinence (i.e. refraining from heterosexual intercourse during the entire period of risk associated with the Trial treatment(s)) or commitment to a vasectomised partner.

• Male or female

• 18 years old or older

• Newly to be treated FD diagnosis

• Capable to understand and comply with the study requirements

Locations
Other Locations
Belgium
KU Leuven
RECRUITING
Leuven
Contact Information
Primary
Jan Tack, MD
jan.tack@kuleuven.be
16 34 42 25
Time Frame
Start Date: 2024-10-01
Estimated Completion Date: 2026-10-01
Participants
Target number of participants: 100
Treatments
Active_comparator: Rikkunshito
Rikkunshito (TJ-43) Route of administration: P.O.; dose: 2.5 grams 3 times per day. Needs to be dissolved in about 30 ml of lukewarm water 30 minutes prior to the meal and swallowed as a single dose over approximately one minute at most.
Placebo_comparator: Placebo
Placebo Route of administration: P.O.; dose: 2.5 grams 3 times per day Needs to be dissolved in about 30 ml of lukewarm water 30 minutes prior to the meal and swallowed as a single dose over approximately one minute at most.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Leads: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov