Protein Metabolism in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Condition(s) targeted: Crohn's Disease; Ulcerative Colitis; Protein Metabolism

Intervention: stable isotope infusions (Other)

Phase: N/A

Status: Recruiting

Sponsored by: Indiana University

Official(s) and/or principal investigator(s):
Steven J Steiner, MD, Principal Investigator, Affiliation: Indiana University

Overall contact:
Steven J Steiner, MD, Phone: 317-274-3774

Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a disease of the gastrointestinal tract leading to symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and growth disturbance. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory process that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, whereas ulcerative colitis is typically present only in the colon. Children with inflammatory bowel disease frequently suffer from disturbances in growth, which may continue into adulthood and result in altered growth outcomes. The metabolic response to inflammatory bowel disease, including increased protein breakdown and decreased protein synthesis may play a significant role in the resulting malnutrition and growth failure from which children with inflammatory bowel disease suffer. The purpose of this study is to compare the rates of protein synthesis within the mucosal lining of the gastrointestinal tract in children Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis to children who have normal endoscopic examinations. By comparing children with inflammatory bowel disease to normal children, we can begin to determine how alterations in protein metabolism within the lining of the gastrointestinal tract affect whole body protein metabolism, and its consequent effects on growth. In those patients diagnosed with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, a follow-up study will be conducted two weeks following the initiation of steroid therapy to determine its effects on protein metabolism. We hypothesize that children with active inflammatory bowel disease will have increased rates of protein synthesis in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract than patients who have normal endoscopy, and that increases in protein breakdown and protein synthesis will be improved following steroid therapy in children with newly diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease.

Official title: Protein Metabolism in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Study design: Basic Science, Non-Randomized, Open Label, Active Control, Parallel Assignment

Primary outcome: Compare gastrointestinal mucosal protein synthesis rates among children with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis to children with normal endoscopic findings.

Secondary outcome: Compare whole body protein metabolism in children with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis before and 2 weeks after initiation of corticosteroid therapy.

Minimum age: 6 Years. Maximum age: 18 Years. Gender(s): Both.

Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria:

- Male and female children between the ages of six and eighteen years of age

- Suspected inflammatory bowel disease or chronic abdominal pain not suspected of having

inflammatory bowel disease

- Screening laboratory tests that meet the following criteria (obtained within 4 weeks

of enrollment):

1. Hemoglobin >8. 0 g/dL

2. White blood cell count >3. 5 x 109/L

3. Neutrophils >1. 5 x 109/L

4. Platelets >100 x 109/L

5. Aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase levels within 3 times the upper limit of normal.

- Parent or guardian signing witnessed, informed consent

- Child (if > age 7) signing assent

EXCLUSION CRITERIA:

- Known malignancy or history of malignancy within 5 years of enrollment.

- Positive stool examination for enteric pathogens including Salmonella and Shigella

species, Clostridium difficile, and Giardia lamblia.

- Female subjects who are pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy.

- History of substance abuse.

- Poor tolerability of venipuncture or lack of venous access during the study period.

- Inability to comply with study procedures

Steven J Steiner, MD, Phone: 317-274-3774

Indiana University - Riley Hospital for Children, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, United States; Recruiting

Starting date: January 2006
Ending date: January 2012
Last updated: December 21, 2007