Oral Glutamine for Gulf War Syndrome

N/A

Recruiting

Led By QiQi Zhou, MD PhD

Research Sponsored by VA Office of Research and Development

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 18 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up 3 years

Summary

This trial will provide a novel treatment for veterans with Gulf War Illness who have chronic GI symptoms, which currently have no specific treatments. It could drastically improve the health of many veterans and reduce negative economic effects.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for veterans aged 18-65 with Gulf War Illness (GWI) and chronic GI symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, or bloating that began during deployment in the Persian Gulf. Participants must show increased intestinal permeability and abstain from alcohol before and during the study. Pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions or allergies, or on specific medications cannot join.

What is being tested?

The trial is testing Oral Glutamine against a control arm to treat chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in veterans with GWI. The goal is to find an effective treatment where none currently exists, potentially improving veteran health and reducing economic strain on healthcare systems.

What are the potential side effects?

While not explicitly listed in the provided information, common side effects of glutamine may include cough or hoarseness, frequent urge to defecate, heartburn, back pain; however individual experiences can vary.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ 3 years

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~3 years

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 3 years for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

To determine if oral glutamine supplementation will improve the Symptom Severity Scale in Veterans with GWI and chronic GI Symptoms.

To determine if oral glutamine supplementation will restore intestinal permeability in Veterans with GWI.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Placebo Group

Group I: Oral GlutamineExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

You will be asked to consume 5 grams of glutamine three times a day for 12 weeks. At week four, you will be asked to return to the CRC to be assessed, and then to return every four weeks until week 12, which will be the conclusion of the study.

Group II: Whey Protein PowderPlacebo Group1 Intervention

You will be asked to consume 5 grams of whey protein powder three times a day for 12 weeks. At week four, you will be asked to return to the CRC to be assessed, and then to return every four weeks until week 12, which will be the conclusion of the study.

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out