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Exploratory Study on the Efficacy of Betaine Hydrochloride in Treating Autoimmune Gastritis

NCT06881511 · Status: RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 100

Last updated 2025-03-30

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by parietal cell destruction and oxyntic mucosal atrophy, leading to achlorhydria and intrinsic factor deficiency. These pathological changes impair iron and vitamin B12 absorption, resulting in iron-deficiency anemia, pernicious anemia, and neuropsychiatric manifestations. Notably, 4-12% of AIG patients develop type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors, while facing a 3-7 fold increased risk of gastric adenocarcinoma with an incidence of 0.9-9%.

Current management of AIG is limited to iron and vitamin B12 replacement, as no disease-modifying therapies exist. The progressive hypochlorhydria reduces pepsin activity, impairs gastric motility, and promotes small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), causing dyspeptic symptoms and micronutrient malabsorption. Furthermore, gastric hypoacidity increases N-nitroso compound formation and triggers hypergastrinemia, elevating risks for both gastric cancer and neuroendocrine tumors.

This clinical trial investigates whether betaine hydrochloride (with pepsin) supplementation can restore gastric acidity and improve clinical outcomes in AIG. We will evaluate its effects on gastrin levels, gastrointestinal symptoms, exhaled gas markers (NO, H₂S, H₂, CH₄), anemia parameters, endoscopic atrophy scores, and incidence of gastric complications (hyperplastic polyps, neuroendocrine tumors, and adenocarcinoma). The study aims to provide evidence for a potential therapeutic strategy addressing both symptoms and long-term complications of AIG.

Conditions

  • Autoimmune Gastritis

Interventions

OTHER

No intervention (Control Group)

Patients in this group will receive standard care and undergo regular follow-up and monitoring without any additional treatment.

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Oral betaine hydrochloride (2 capsules, 3 times daily)

Oral betaine hydrochloride (with pepsin). Patients will take 2 capsules (648 mg per capsule) of betaine hydrochloride, 3 times daily with meals.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University

    lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
80 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2025-01-03
Primary Completion
2026-06-30
Completion
2026-12-31

Countries

  • China

Study Locations

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Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT06881511 on ClinicalTrials.gov