Alanyl-glutamine Supplementation for C. Difficile Treatment (ACT)

Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-105
SponsorUniversity of Virginia

About this trial

This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the optimal dose and safety of oral alanyl-glutamine between 4, 24, and 44 g doses administered for 10 days with standard therapy among first time incident cases of uncomplicated C. difficile infection (CDI) in hospitalized, or outpatient, persons aged 18 or older. The investigators hypothesis is that alanyl-glutamine supplementation will decrease recurrence and mortality from CDI and these outcomes will be associated with improvement of inflammatory markers and restoration of intestinal microbiota function.

Eligibility criteria

This trial does not accept healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

Provision of signed and dated informed consent form

Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study

Male or female, aged 18 years and older.

Admitted to UVA hospital, or seen as an outpatient, or seen at Carilion hospital.

Disqualifiers

Hypotension or shock

Megacolon or moderate to severe ileus

Acute abdomen

Admission to intensive care unit

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • Alanyl-glutamine

    Drug

    The study agent is AQ, a dipeptide with a glutamine amino group joined to an alanyl residue. It has the following chemical structure: C8H15N3O4. It is a non-animal product available in the form of white crystals or crystalline powder. It is odorless, tasteless, stable and highly soluble.

Treatment groups

260 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groups
Group A: Alanyl-glutamine 0gPlacebo comparator 1 intervention
Group B: Alanyl-glutamine 4gExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Alanyl-glutamine 24gExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: Alanyl-glutamine 44gExperimental treatment 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Number of participants with recurrent CDI.

Documented C difficile infection defined by presence of recurrent diarrhea with stool positive for C difficile assay necessitating treatment with anti-C. difficile antibiotic.

Time frame
Within 60 days post-treatment

Secondary outcomes

1

Number of participants who died post-study treatment

Documentation of death from any cause occurring during study treatment and 60 days after study treatment

Time frame
Until 60 days post-treatment

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

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University of Virginia

Lead sponsor

Carilion Clinic

Collaborator

University of Southampton

Collaborator