Zinc Deficiency Treatment in Celiac Disease: Supplementation Versus Diet

Study Purpose

Micronutrient deficiencies are common amongst celiac disease (CeD) patients due to consumption of a restrictive and nutritionally unbalanced gluten-free diet (GFD) in addition to slow intestinal villi healing. Preliminary data of 221 patients attending our Celiac Disease Clinic at McMaster University show that 64% of patients on a GFD have nutrient deficiencies with zinc (Zn) deficiency affecting 48% of treated CeD patients. Dietary supplements are prescribed to treat Zn deficiency and it is unclear whether Zn levels can be restored with optimizing Zn in diet. This project will evaluate the the feasibility of dietary therapy to treat Zn deficiency in CeD in comparison to supplementation. Additional objectives of this pilot study, are to assess the efficacy of Zn optimized GFD compared to Zn supplements in 1) normalizing plasma Zn levels and 2) improving CeD gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms at 3 and 6 month. Subjects will be recruited from McMaster Celiac clinic. This randomized controlled trial aims to recruit 50 CeD participants with two treatment groups; zinc optimized diet (guided by dietitian to achieve target of 11 mg/day for females and 14 mg /day for males) or zinc oral supplementation (25 mg zinc gluconate tablet/day; 7 mg elemental Zn) with a total study a total study period of 6 months and 4 visits. To be included in the study the investigators require celiac diagnosed patients confirmed through CeD serology and duodenal biopsies adhering to a GFD > 6 months and plasma Zn ≤9.3 µmol/L. Questionnaires will be used to assess presentation of symptoms, dietary adherence, quality of life, depression and anxiety. The trial would be considered to be feasible if the enrolment fraction (i.e., number of enrolled patients /number of eligible patients) is 60% or above.

Recruitment Criteria

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Healthy volunteers are participants who do not have a disease or condition, or related conditions or symptoms

No
Study Type

An interventional clinical study is where participants are assigned to receive one or more interventions (or no intervention) so that researchers can evaluate the effects of the interventions on biomedical or health-related outcomes.


An observational clinical study is where participants identified as belonging to study groups are assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.


Searching Both is inclusive of interventional and observational studies.

Interventional
Eligible Ages 18 Years and Over
Gender All
More Inclusion & Exclusion Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

  • - Diagnosis of CeD based on specific CeD serology (elevated anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA, deaminated gliadin peptides-Immunoglobulin G or anti-endomysial antibodies IgA) and confirmed by duodenal biopsies showing villous atrophy (Marsh 3a or greater); - Adopting a gluten-free diet for at least 6 months; - Untreated Zn deficiency (Zn plasma levels ≤9.3 µmol/L)

    Exclusion Criteria:

    - Are already on a Zn optimized diet; - Treatment with Zn supplements or multivitamins containing >11 mg of Zn in the last month; - Prior allergic reaction to Zn supplements; - Treatment with antibiotics or probiotics supplements in the last 30 days; - Pregnancy or lactation.
  • - Current infection in the last 30 days; - Intestinal obstruction, short gut (remnant bowel <180 cm), or any serious illness considered by the investigator that will interfere with the study procedure or results.
Data including medication and supplementation will be recorded in case report form and Zn content added to total Zn in the analysis.
  • - Untreated pancreatic insufficiency (fecal elastase <200).

Trial Details

Trial ID:

This trial id was obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov, a service of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, providing information on publicly and privately supported clinical studies of human participants with locations in all 50 States and in 196 countries.

NCT05782257
Phase

Phase 1: Studies that emphasize safety and how the drug is metabolized and excreted in humans.

Phase 2: Studies that gather preliminary data on effectiveness (whether the drug works in people who have a certain disease or condition) and additional safety data.

Phase 3: Studies that gather more information about safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs.

Phase 4: Studies occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing, efficacy, or optimal use.

N/A
Lead Sponsor

The sponsor is the organization or person who oversees the clinical study and is responsible for analyzing the study data.

McMaster University
Principal Investigator

The person who is responsible for the scientific and technical direction of the entire clinical study.

N/A
Principal Investigator Affiliation N/A
Agency Class

Category of organization(s) involved as sponsor (and collaborator) supporting the trial.

Other
Overall Status Recruiting
Countries Canada
Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied.

Celiac Disease, Nutrient Deficiency
Arms & Interventions

Arms

Active Comparator: Zinc Supplementation

Those allocated in this arm will be provided with 90 capsules of gluten-free Zn gluconate 25 mg (7 mg of elemental Zn; Jamieson®) and will be instructed to take 1 tablet daily with a meal and at least 2 hrs apart from other medications, and iron or copper supplements

Experimental: Zinc Optimized Diet

Instructions provided by a dietitian to establish a target of 11 mg/day (female) and 14 mg /day (male) provided by Zn-rich food sources, adjusted for dietary phytate intake.

Interventions

Dietary Supplement: - Zinc Supplementation

Take one 25mg Zn gluconate tablet daily

Other: - Zn-Optimized Diet

Consume 11 mg/day of zinc-rich foods for females and 14 mg/day in males.

Contact a Trial Team

If you are interested in learning more about this trial, find the trial site nearest to your location and contact the site coordinator via email or phone. We also strongly recommend that you consult with your healthcare provider about the trials that may interest you and refer to our terms of service below.

International Sites

McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada

Status

Recruiting

Address

McMaster University

Hamilton, ,

Site Contact

Shilpa Tandon, BSc

tandos1@mcmaster.ca

9055212100 #21875

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