Probiotic Yogurt in Patients With Chronic Cholecystitis (GR5-CC)

June 12, 2026 updated by: Wei Xiang, LanZhou University

Efficacy and Safety of Pediococcus Acidilactici GR-5 in Patients With Chronic Cholecystitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Background and Purpose: Chronic cholecystitis is a common disease causing gallbladder inflammation, which is closely related to imbalances in gut bacteria and bile acids. This study aims to investigate whether consuming a special functional yogurt containing the probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici GR-5 can help alleviate the symptoms of chronic cholecystitis.

Study Procedures: Researchers will recruit 50 patients with chronic cholecystitis and randomly divide them into two groups. For 30 days, one group will consume the functional GR-5 probiotic yogurt, while the other group will consume regular commercial yogurt (placebo). During the study period, researchers will use abdominal imaging to check the gallbladder, evaluate clinical symptoms, and collect blood and stool samples at baseline and after the 30-day intervention. The goal is to see if this probiotic yogurt can improve gallbladder health by regulating gut bacteria and bile acid metabolism, potentially providing a new dietary and nutritional option for patients with cholecystitis.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Not yet recruiting

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.

Detailed Description

Scientific Background: The pathogenesis of chronic cholecystitis is closely associated with the accumulation of conjugated bile acids and the dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Previous studies indicate that Pediococcus acidilactici GR-5, a probiotic isolated from traditional fermented foods, possesses high bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity. It can efficiently deconjugate bile acids, thereby potentially reducing cytotoxicity and inflammatory stimulation in the gallbladder mucosa. This study aims to evaluate the clinical efficacy and underlying mechanisms of GR-5 functional yogurt in managing chronic cholecystitis via the "gut-biliary axis."

Study Design and Intervention: This is a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eligible patients diagnosed with chronic cholecystitis will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either the functional GR-5 probiotic yogurt (intervention group) or an ordinary yogurt without GR-5 (control group) for 30 days. To ensure strict double-blinding, an independent third party will handle the generation of the random sequence and the de-identified packaging. Both yogurt products will be completely identical in appearance, color, smell, and taste.

Data Collection and Multi-omics Analysis: The observation period spans 30 days. At baseline (Day 0) and at the end of the intervention (Day 30), researchers will conduct clinical evaluations, morphological imaging of the biliary tract, and collect fasting peripheral blood and fecal samples. To explore the deep mechanisms, multi-omics technologies, including 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and targeted/untargeted metabolomics of bile acids, will be utilized. By dynamically monitoring the changes in the gut microbiome and bile acid metabolic profiles before and after the intervention, this study expects to provide scientific evidence for using targeted functional microecological therapies to reshape intestinal homeostasis and alleviate biliary inflammation.

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 (Estimated)

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.
50

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

  • China
    • Gansu
      • Lanzhou, Gansu, China, 730000
        • School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University
        • Contact:

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

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Male or female, aged 18 to 70 years.
  • Definitive diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis (with or without gallstones), referencing the Chinese Medical Association guidelines or relevant clinical diagnostic criteria.
  • Presence of clinical symptoms including recurrent right upper quadrant discomfort or dull pain, or accompanying dyspeptic symptoms (such as abdominal bloating, belching, or nausea), with symptoms persisting or recurring for more than 3 months prior to enrollment.
  • Imaging support: Abdominal ultrasound within 3 months prior to enrollment indicating gallbladder wall thickening (typically > 3 mm) or wall roughness.
  • Voluntary participation and signed written informed consent form.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Acute exacerbation of cholecystitis, purulent or gangrenous cholecystitis, or accompanying biliary obstruction or severe cholangitis requiring emergency surgical intervention.
  • History of cholecystectomy or other major gastrointestinal surgeries (e.g., gastric bypass, bowel resection).
  • Comorbidities of other severe primary diseases or malignancies, including: severe cardiovascular, renal, or neurological diseases; severe liver diseases (e.g., cirrhosis, severe viral hepatitis); and malignancies (e.g., gallbladder cancer, gastrointestinal tumors).
  • Pregnant or lactating women, or those planning to conceive during the study period.
  • Use of the following medications or preparations within 4 weeks prior to enrollment: continuous use of antibiotics, other probiotic or prebiotic preparations; currently taking choleretic or litholytic drugs that may significantly affect bile acid metabolism (e.g., ursodeoxycholic acid).
  • Known allergy to dairy products, yogurt, or any intervention ingredients, or having severe lactose intolerance.
  • Any other conditions that, in the opinion of the investigator, make the subject unsuitable for participation in this clinical study.

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: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Quadruple

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.
Experimental: Experimental Group: GR-5 Yogurt
Participants assigned to this group will receive the functional yogurt containing Pediococcus acidilactici GR-5 (zero sucrose) daily for 30 days.
Dietary supplement: Functional GR-5 Probiotic Yogurt
A functional yogurt product provided by Jiangruikang Company, containing the probiotic strain Pediococcus acidilactici GR-5, with zero sucrose. Participants will consume it daily for 30 days.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo Comparator Group
Participants assigned to this group will receive regular commercial yogurt (zero sucrose, without GR-5 probiotic) daily for 30 days. It is identical in appearance, color, smell, and taste to the functional yogurt.
Dietary supplement: Placebo Yogurt
An ordinary commercial yogurt product provided by Jiangruikang Company, with zero sucrose but without the GR-5 probiotic. It is identical in appearance, color, smell, and taste to the functional yogurt. Participants will consume it daily for 30 days.

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
Change from Baseline in Gallbladder Wall Thickness and Smoothness
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 30
Assessed via abdominal ultrasound.
Baseline and Day 30

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
Change from Baseline in Gut Microbiota Diversity and Abundance
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 30
Analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples.
Baseline and Day 30
Change from Baseline in Serum Metabolite Levels
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 30
Measured using metabolomics analysis of blood samples.
Baseline and Day 30
Change from Baseline in Fecal Metabolite Levels
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 30
Measured using metabolomics analysis of stool samples.
Baseline and Day 30
Change from Baseline in Liver Function Indicators
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 30
Measured via standard serum biochemical analysis (including ALT, AST, ALP, and Bilirubin)
Baseline and Day 30
Change from Baseline in Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Time Frame: Baseline and Day 30
Measured via standard hematology analysis.
Baseline and Day 30
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events
Time Frame: Up to Day 30
Assessed through patient reporting, clinical observation, and physical examination.
Up to Day 30

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.
LanZhou University

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.
Pingliang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine

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.
  • Study Director: xiangkai Li, phD, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University
  • Principal Investigator: wei xiang, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University

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 (Estimated)

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.
July 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

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.
September 1, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

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.
September 1, 2026

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).
June 12, 2026

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 12, 2026

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.
June 17, 2026

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.
June 17, 2026

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.
June 12, 2026

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, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

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.
  • LZU-CC-GR5-2026
  • 32370110 (Other Grant/Funding Number: National Natural Science Foundation of China)
  • 24ZDWA005 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Gansu Province Science and Technology Major Project)
  • 2026004 (Other Identifier: Pingliang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

To protect the privacy and confidentiality of the study participants, individual participant data (IPD) will not be shared.

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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