Amino Acids in Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The detrimental effects of catabolism, insuline resistance and muscle wasting on surgical outcome is wellknown. This catabolism is especially pronounced in patients with acute or chronic inflammation (IBD, cancer) and for those undergoing major surgery. Patients with ulcerative colitis operated with an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (j-pouch) fall well into both these categories. To prevent this undesirable catabolism, we will investigate the effects of intravenous administration of predominantly anabolic amino acids (with an amino acid content equal to breast milk) on whole body metabolism, with special emphasis on muscle and fat metabolism and intracellular signalling pathways. Twenty-four patients will be block-randomized by gender in this parallel-group, randomized, assessor-blinded, placebo-controlled trial to receive either Vaminolac® (Fresenius Kabi) or saline. Metabolism before and after the intervention will be assessed by palmitate- and amino acid kinetics of radioactively labelled tracers, while muscle and fat biopsies will be analyzed for differences in intracellular signaling pathways (PI3 kinase, Akt, etc.) as a measure of cellular activity. With this study we hope to find evidence for anabolic effects of intravenous amino acids in j-pouch surgery for ulcerative colitis. The perspective is a potential for primary prophylaxis of surgical complications, reduction in the length of hospitalization, and subsequently optimized long-term functional outcome of the pouch.

Official Title
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Amino Acids in Ileal Pouch-anal Anastomosis for Ulcerative Colitis: a Randomized, Assessor-blinded, Placebo-controlled Trial

Conditions
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Ulcerative Colitis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Vaminolac
* Other: Saline


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients with ulcerative colitis who are having an ileal pouch-anal anastomosis performed, 18 < age < 50, written informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Inability to understand written Danish, postmenopause, severe asthma, diabetes mellitus, severe rheumatologic disease, severe comorbidity (ASA group III-IV) in general. Acute or progressing liver failure, uremia without possibility for dialysis, phenylketonuria, defects in amino acid metabolism. Participation in scientific studies in the preceding year, where ionizing radiation has been used, including significant x-ray investigations.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Quadruple


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Vaminolac<br>Intravenous Vaminolac during 3 hours, with an infusion rate of 1,6ml/kilogram bodyweight/h. | Dietary Supplement: Vaminolac<br>* Vaminolac with an amino acid content corresponding humane breast milk.<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: Saline<br>Intravenous saline during 3 hours, with an infusion rate of 1,6ml/kilogram bodyweight/h. | Other: Saline<br>* Intravenous isotonic saline with a sodium chloride content of 9mg/ml.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Phenylalanine kinetics | Phenylalanine balance is determined by: PheBal = (PheA - PheV) x F Where PheBal is the phenylalanine balance (mg/L), PheA is the arterial concentration of phenylalanine, PheV is the venous concentration of phenylalanine, and F is the blood flow. | 6 hours | 
| Tyrosine kinetics | Tyrosine balance is determined by: TyrBal = (TyrA - TyrV) x F Where TyrBal is the tyrosine balance, TyrA is the arterial concentration of tyrosine, TyrV is the venous concentration of tyrosine, and F is the blood flow. | 6 hours | 
| Palmitate balance | Palmitate net balance will be estimated using blood flow and arterio-venous differenves in specific activity | 5 hours | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plasma changes in hormones and energy sources | Plasma changes in the levels of insulin, glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, IGF[1], growth hormone, glycerol, urea, glucose | 6 hours |