Intracolonic FODMAP Infusion in Healthy Volunteers (ICOF)

December 9, 2025 updated by: Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

The Effect of Intracolonic Infusion of FODMAPS on Colonic Motility and Symptoms in Healthy Volunteers

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the gut-brain axis. The underlying pathophysiology is multifactorial, poorly understood and differs between the subtypes: constipation-dominant IBS, diarrhea-dominant IBS, mixed IBS, and unspecified IBS. Although it is considered a motility disorder, no uniform motility patterns have been found in IBS patients and no link has yet been found between the motility patterns and the typical complaints such as nausea, fullness, cramps and flatulence. These symptoms are often diagnosed after a meal and research has shown that especially fermentable oligo, di, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAPs) give rise to symptoms. Many studies have tested the effect of these FODMAPs after oral administration, but little is known about their direct effect on the colon. In this double-blind cross-over study, 15 healthy volunteers are subjected to 3 colonoscopies in which a catheter is placed to measure the pressures in the large intestine and to administer the dissolved FODMAPs. Volunteers will follow a diet low in fiber and FODMAPs 3 days before each study visit. In addition, they will have to record their daily bowel movements during the week of their study visit and fill in 2 short questionnaires on the day of the study visit regarding their gastrointestinal complaints. There will be at least 2 weeks between the 3 study visits to avoid any overlap between the FODMAPs.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
15

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

  • Belgium
    • Vlaams-Brabant
      • Leuven, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium, 3000
        • KU Leuven

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects should provide written informed consent to participate in the study
  • Women of child-bearing potential agree to apply a highly effective method of birth control during the entire duration of the trial. Highly effective birth control is defined as those which result in a low failure rate (i.e., less than 1% per year) when used constantly and correctly such as implants, injectables, combined oral contraceptive method, or some intrauterine devices (IUDs), sexual abstinence, or vasectomized partner. Women of non-childbearing potential may be included if surgically sterile (tubal ligation or hysterectomy) or postmenopausal with at least 2 years without spontaneous menses.
  • Subjects who are capable to understand the study and the questionnaires, and to comply with the study requirements.
  • Healthy volunteers should consider themselves healthy and should not be medically examined

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of major surgery of the gastrointestinal tract (appendectomy, hemorrhoidectomy, or polypectomy greater than 3 months post-surgery are allowed).
  • Known underlying organic gastrointestinal disease, including intestinal obstruction, ileus, intestinal perforation, severe inflammatory disorder like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or toxic megacolon
  • Diabetes mellitus types 1 and 2
  • Concomitant Kidney or Liver disease, Biliary obstruction
  • Decreased cardiac -or respiratory function
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding women
  • Use of antibiotics in the past month
  • History of skin allergies or a history of extreme sensitivity to cosmetics or lotions
  • Fragile skin vulnerable to skin tears.
  • Damaged epigastric skin (open wounds, rash, inflammation)
  • Subjects who are unable to remain in a relaxed reclined position for the test duration
  • Subject has received an investigational drug or used an investigational medical device within 30 days prior to randomization, or is currently enrolled in an investigational study.
  • The use of following drugs 1 month prior to inclusion and during the whole study duration: laxatives, opioids, anti-acids, anticholinergics/antispasmodics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, diuretics, antihypertensives, antipsychotics, calcium channel blockers, bile acid sequestrants, iron supplements, anticoagulants, HIV protease inhibitors (saquinavir, lopinavir), atorvastatine, negazodone, efavirenz, Sint-janskruid (CYP3A4 inducers)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Other
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
  • Masking: Double

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Other: Fructose
A solution of 10 g fructose in 200 mL of tap water will be infused once over a period of 20min. during 1 of the 3 investigation days.
Dietary supplement: Fermentable Oligo-, Di- Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAPs)
A FODMAP solution of 200 mL will be infused in the colon for over 20 min. via the lumen of the solid-state catheter for high-resolution colonic manometry.
Other: Fructan
A solution of 30 g fructan in 200 mL of tap water will be infused once over a period of 20min. during 1 of the 3 investigation days.
Dietary supplement: Fermentable Oligo-, Di- Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAPs)
A FODMAP solution of 200 mL will be infused in the colon for over 20 min. via the lumen of the solid-state catheter for high-resolution colonic manometry.
Other: Mannitol
A solution of 10 g mannitol in 200 mL of tap water will be infused once over a period of 20min. during 1 of the 3 investigation days.
Dietary supplement: Fermentable Oligo-, Di- Monosaccharides And Polyols (FODMAPs)
A FODMAP solution of 200 mL will be infused in the colon for over 20 min. via the lumen of the solid-state catheter for high-resolution colonic manometry.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
colonic motility
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
evaluation of (high amplitude) propagating contractions, simultaneous pressure waves at 3 predefined timepoints: upon awakening, after FODMAP infusion and postprandially
through study completion, an average of 1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
abdominal symptoms
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
symptoms will be registered every 15minutes during the evaluation of the colonic motility
through study completion, an average of 1 year
stool form based on the bristol stool chart
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
stool form differences will be evaluated during the week of the investigation (3 days before the study visit, on the day of investigation, and 3 days after the study visit)
through study completion, an average of 1 year
IBS-SSS and IBS-Qol
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
IBS symptom severity and influence of quality of life will be assessed at each investigation and compared between the 3 study arms.
through study completion, an average of 1 year
microbiome
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
a stool sample will be taken before the first study visit to evaluate the microbial composition
through study completion, an average of 1 year
colonic motor patterns by means of high resolution electrocolonography
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
simultaneous evaluation of colonic motor patterns with high-resolution colonic manometry and high-resolution electrocolonography
through study completion, an average of 1 year
validation of the high-resolution electrocolonography
Time Frame: through study completion, an average of 1 year
evaluation of the high-resolution electronography als a non-invasive tool for the measurement of colonic motility
through study completion, an average of 1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
University of Auckland, New Zealand

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Jan Tack, Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 26, 2023

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
November 13, 2024

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
December 13, 2024

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 12, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
June 27, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
July 5, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
December 18, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
December 9, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
June 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • S67510

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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