Active clinical trials for "Digestive System Diseases"

It has been shown that patients complaining of gas-related symptoms significantly improve on a diet low in fermentable residues. However, other studies suggest that some non-absorbable, fermentable meal products (prebiotics) that serve as substrate to colonic bacteria, produce beneficial effects to the host, including improvement of abdominal symptoms. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of a diet low in fermentable residues versus a diet suplemented with prebiotics on intestinal microbiota composition, microbiota activity (intestinal gas production) and digestive symptoms.

The purpose of this study is to compare short-term and long-term efficacy of BiClamp forceps hepatectomy and clamp-crushing technique for parenchymal transection during elective hepatic resection.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine is conducting a research study on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common condition in North America. It is a long term, recurring gastrointestinal disorder that is estimated to affect 30% of the general population. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain and cramps, and bowel dysfunction such as diarrhea and bloating. The medicines that are currently used to help people with IBS are not as effective as we would like them to be. These medicines are usually only prescribed to reduce the pain of IBS and not actually treat the disorder itself. Recently, scientists have found that probiotics (beneficial bacteria that live inside humans) may help reduce the painful symptoms and diarrhea that are part of IBS. This research is being conducted to determine whether this particular combination of three probiotic bacteria (named Lactobacillus gasseri, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Bifidobacterium longum) will reduce the symptoms of IBS.

Functional constipation (FC) is a common complaint in clinical practice, but treatment for this condition in conventional medicine is suboptimal. Complementary and alternative medicines, especially Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) are used frequently by patients, however, there is little research evidence about these commonly used CHM. The purpose of the study is evaluate the efficacy and safety of an ancient CHM formula, MaZiRenWan (MZRW), by comparing with placebo.

The aim is to evaluate if the resolution of upper abdominal symptoms (pain or burning) during an acid suppressive test trial of esomprazole given daily for 7 days predicts symptoms resolution at the end of a subsequent treatment period of 7 weeks.

Phase I Objectives Primary: 1. The primary objective of this study is to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of Docetaxel combined with 5-Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin (D-FOX) in patients with untreated, locally unresectable or metastatic adenocarcinoma of the stomach or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ). Secondary: 1. To determine the qualitative and quantitative toxicity and reversibility of toxicity of this combination. Phase II Objectives Primary: 1. To assess time to cancer progression to D-FOX treatment regimen. Secondary: To assess response rate to D-FOX treatment regimen. To determine the qualitative and quantitative toxicity and reversibility of toxicity of this combination treatment regimen. Determine overall survival. Perform an exploratory investigation into the effect of D-FOX on phenotypic abnormalities in blood.

The aim of this study is evaluate the efficacy of Imipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant, in treatment of functional dyspepsia. This is a double blind randomised placebo controlled trial in which consecutive patients with diagnosis of functional dyspepsia will be studied. After exclusion of organic cause of dyspepsia by endoscopy, these patients will be randomly assigned to either imipramine or placebo. All the patients will enter an additional 4 weeks of drug withdrawal phase after the initial 12 weeks of study drug treatment. They will be evaluated for treatment response, which is defined as satisfactory relief of dyspeptic symptoms at the end of 12-week treatment.

This randomised, double blind, cross-over study compares the effect (symptoms, fecal bacterial growth, gas production) of three weeks' treatment with lactobacillus plantarum MF 1298 with placebo in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The results are related to dietary habits, food intolerance and food allergy.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NC-503 compared to placebo in patients with secondary (AA) amyloidosis using a composite assessment of clinical improvement/worsening of both renal and gastrointestinal functions.

To determine the oral bioavailability of three dose levels of oral ganciclovir given with and without glutamic acid hydrochloride in patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) GI disease, and to compare the bioavailability of these regimens to that of standard intravenous (IV) ganciclovir. Long-term ganciclovir maintenance therapy has been recommended for CMV colitis or esophagitis following induction treatment. Oral ganciclovir is a likely candidate for maintenance because of its possible therapeutic value and ease of administration, but an optimum dose has not been determined. Since oral ganciclovir has a low bioavailability and is more soluble in an acid pH environment, the addition of glutamic acid hydrochloride may enhance gastrointestinal absorption of this drug.