Efficacy of Zinc L-carnosine in Maintaining Remission of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Summary

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the Montreal classification, is defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. GERD, as clinically defined by the presence of heartburn, acid regurgitation, or both, at least once a week, is a global disease, being one of the most common gastroenterological disorders worldwide that affects roughly 10-30% of the general population in the Western world and less than 10% of the Asian populations. GERD complications may be life threatening and range from reflux esophagitis to Barrett's oesophagus and, eventually, adenocarcinoma. Zinc L-carnosine (brand name in Italy: Hepilor®) is a chelate compound of zinc and L-carnosine, with a long history of more than 20 years of clinical use in Japan that has recently become available in Italy for the treatment of any condition that requires a mucosal protection and mucosal repair within the gastrointestinal tract, thus including GERD. However, clinical data in western countries are limited. The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to demonstrate the efficacy of Zinc-l-carnosine in maintaining GERD clinical remission during a 12-week treatment.

Timeline

Start

2018-11-22

Primary completion

2020-04-01

Completion

2021-04-01

Publications

• Background Vakil N, van Zanten SV, Kahrilas P, Dent J, Jones R; Global Consensus Group. The Montreal definition and classification of gastroesophageal reflux disease: a global evidence-based consensus. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Aug;101(8):1900-20; quiz 1943. doi: 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00630.x.
• Background Arakawa T, Satoh H, Nakamura A, Nebiki H, Fukuda T, Sakuma H, Nakamura H, Ishikawa M, Seiki M, Kobayashi K. Effects of zinc L-carnosine on gastric mucosal and cell damage caused by ethanol in rats. Correlation with endogenous prostaglandin E2. Dig Dis Sci. 1990 May;35(5):559-66. doi: 10.1007/BF01540402.
• Background Locke GR 3rd, Talley NJ, Fett SL, Zinsmeister AR, Melton LJ 3rd. Prevalence and clinical spectrum of gastroesophageal reflux: a population-based study in Olmsted County, Minnesota. Gastroenterology. 1997 May;112(5):1448-56. doi: 10.1016/s0016-5085(97)70025-8.
• Background Locke GR, Talley NJ, Weaver AL, Zinsmeister AR. A new questionnaire for gastroesophageal reflux disease. Mayo Clin Proc. 1994 Jun;69(6):539-47. doi: 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)62245-9.

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