Alcat Based Elimination Diet for the Treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome; a Randomized Double Blind Sham Control Trial

Summary

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common GI condition with global prevalence ranging between 10-20%. Although the exact cause is not known there are increasing insights concerning the possible multifactorial etiology including low grade inflammation, neuromodulation, dysbiosis, impaired integrity of the intestinal barrier and more.

Currently, it is believed that changes in the microbiota may activate mucosal innate immune responses, resulting in increased epithelial permeability, activated nociceptive sensory pathways, and dysregulation of the enteric nervous system.

Nearly two thirds of patients with IBS perceive their GI symptoms to be food related, hence, food intolerance may be important factor in the pathogenesis. Diet is a part of IBS treatment but adherence, on the one hand, and restriction, on the other, remain a major problem. \[Chey WD, Am J Gastroenterol,2016\].

Confocal laser endomicroscopy (CLE) is a technique that permits real-time detection and quantification of changes in intestinal tissues and cells, including increases in intraepithelial lymphocytes and fluid extravasation through epithelial leaks.

Based on CLE analysis of IBS patients with a suspected food intolerance, exposure to candidate food antigens caused immediate breaks, increased intervillous spaces, and increased IELs in the intestinal mucosa. These changes are associated with patient responses to exclusion diets. \[Fritscher-Ravens A et al, Gastroenterology. 2019, Gastroenterology. 2014\] This technic, also efficient according to former studies, is costly and invasive.

The Alcat Test is a lab based immune stimulation test in which a patient's WBC's (white blood cell) are challenged with various substances including foods, additives, colorings, chemicals, medicinal herbs, functional foods, molds and pharmaceutical compounds. The Alcat Test objectively classifies a patient's response to each test substance as reactive, borderline or non-reactive. Based on these classifications, a customized elimination/rotation diet may be designed.

Conditions

• IBS - Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Alcat based personal diet

Alcat based personalized diet with dietician supervision and follow-up + usual care

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Standard balanced diet

"Sham" standard balanced diet with dietician supervision and follow up + usual care.

OTHER

usual care

usual care

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Cell science systems

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Sheba Medical Center

  lead OTHER_GOV

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

DOUBLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2020-08-01

Primary Completion

2023-05-15

Completion

2023-05-15

Countries

• Israel

Study Locations