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NCT Number: NCT00686361

Choline Nutrition in Children With Cystic Fibrosis (CF)

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a complex disease with a wide range of clinical problems. Despite enzyme replacement therapy, children with cystic fibrosis (CF) may still have problems absorbing some nutrients. Detailed studies of the nutrient status of children with CF and have found low amounts of choline, an essential dietary nutrient, and altered levels of some amino acids in almost all patients. Choline is an essential dietary nutrient that is important in many important body functions, which include proving a source of methyl groups, the structure of cell membranes and in acetylcholine. Most choline is present in our diets in a fat known as phosphatidylcholine. Research studies have shown that children with cystic fibrosis do not absorb fat, including phosphatidylcholine very well. In previous studies, we showed that choline provided as a dietary supplement for 2 weeks improved choline status in children with cystic fibrosis.

The purpose of this research is to find out if choline supplements over a longer duration of 6 months will improve and maintain normal choline status in children with CF.

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Key information

Conditions

Cystic Fibrosis Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities Digestive System Diseases Genetic Diseases, Inborn Infant, Newborn, Diseases Lung Diseases Pancreatic Diseases Respiratory Tract Diseases

Age range

5 year–17 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Nutrition Research Program, BC Children's Hospital

Vancouver, British Columbia, V6H 3V4, Canada

About this study

This is a prospective study involving 34 children attending an outpatient clinic for children with CF. After enrollment, subjects will be followed for 9 months with each child serving as their own control in a repeated measures design.

Chart data, height, weight, pulmonary function, dietary intake and a venous blood and urine sample will be collected at enrollment then every 3 months for 9 months. Choline supplementation will be from enrollment for 6 months, with follow up at 3 months post supplementation. To avoid additional hospital visits and blood draws, and to co-ordinate with pulmonary function, hematology, clinical chemistry tests as part of clinical care, each subject will be seen at routine scheduled clinic appointments, which are every 3 months.

The objectives are to

  • determine if supplementation with choline for 6 months corrects biochemical markers of choline deficiency and improves indices of reduced methylation capacity (including methionine, SAM, SAM/SAH) and redox status (GSH/GSSG) based on measures of blood and urine
  • determine whether or not choline supplementation decreases plasma pro-inflammatory mediators
  • determine if choline supplementation improves the low n-6 and n-3 fatty acids levels in children with CF,
  • explore if choline supplementation has the potential to have clinical relevance in reducing recurrent inflammation, and improve pulmonary function and/or reduce liver disease.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Children with Cystic Fibrosis of known genotype.

Exclusion criteria

  • No hospitalizations within the previous month
  • not receiving parenteral nutrition
  • FEV1 > 50% at enrollment
  • BMI and weight for age z-scores > 5th percentile
  • non smokers
  • no asthma
  • not taking any lipid supplement or other agent designed to effect glutathione status.

Treatment and study plan

Choline supplementation

Drug

Chart data, height, weight, pulmonary function, dietary intake and a venous blood and urine sample will be collected at enrollment then every 3 months for 9 months. Choline supplementation will be from enrollment for 6 months, with follow up at 3 months post supplementation. To avoid additional hospital visits and blood draws, and to co-ordinate with pulmonary function, hematology, clinical chemistry tests as part of clinical care, each subject will be seen at routine scheduled clinic appointments, which are every 3 months.

Primary outcomes

  1. Measured at: 0 (baseline), 3 and 6 mth (6 mth supplementation) and 9 mths (3 mth post supplementation) a) choline and methyl metabolites b) redox status (GSH/GSSG)

    Time frame: 9 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Measured at: 0, 3 and 6 mth and 9 mth a) inflammatory markers (IL-8, IL-6. IL-1ß, TNFα) b) essential n-6 and n-3 fatty acids c) pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1 (FEF 25-75) d) liver function (serum liver enzymes)

    Time frame: 9 months

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of British Columbia

Other

Collaborators

  • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Registry information

Official study title

To Investigate Whether Choline Supplementation in Children With CF Will Correct Biochemical Markers of Choline Deficiency and Improve Plasma Indices of Methylation Capacity and Redox Status and Result in Decreased Pro-inflammatory Cytokines

Important dates

Study start
2007
Primary completion
2010
Study completion
2010
First posted
May 29, 2008
Registry last updated
Jun 8, 2011

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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