Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) Prevents Low Anterior Resection Syndrome in Rectal Cancer Patients With Hyperhomocysteinemia

November 4, 2026 updated by: Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) Supplementation for the Prevention of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome After Sphincter-Preserving Surgery in Rectal Cancer Patients With Hyperhomocysteinemia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to investigate if taking Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) can help prevent low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) in rectal cancer patients with hyperhomocysteinemia after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer. LARS is a group of bowel problems that can occur after rectal cancer surgery, including frequent bowel movements, an urgent need to have a bowel movement, constipation, and loss of bowel control.

Our previous research suggests that hyperhomocysteinemia increased the occurrence of LARS. Folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 are a safe, widely used way to treat hyperhomocysteinemia.

The main questions this study aims to answer are:

  • Does taking Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) lower the rate of LARS 6 months after surgery?
  • How does this treatment affect internal anal sphincter (IAS) function?

Researchers will compare Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) with a placebo (a look-alike tablet that contains no vitamins) to see if Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) can help prevent LARS.

Participants will:

  • Take B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) every day for 6 months
  • Visit the clinic twice ( 3 months and 6 months after surgery) for checkups and tests
  • Complete the LARS score questionnaire 6 months after surgery

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

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a cluster of bowel dysfunction symptoms after sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer, including incontinence, urgency, and frequent bowel movements. The Chinese Expert Consensus on the Diagnosis and Treatment of LARS (2025 edition) reports an incidence of 69.8% at 3 months and 62.3% at 6-9 months after low anterior resection. LARS may persist for years and substantially impair quality of life. LARS is multifactorial, involving reduced rectal capacity and compliance, internal anal sphincter dysfunction and nerve injury. No drug or treatment is currently available to prevent LARS.

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is defined as a serum homocysteine (Hcy) level above 15 μmol/L. The pooled prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (Hcy >15 μmol/L) in China was 25.9%. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia is higher in cancer patients. Hyperhomocysteinemia increases the risk of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, including coronary heart disease and stroke.

Our preliminary data showed that, in a single-center cohort of 530 patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University between December 2023 and December 2025, hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 105 of 205 patients with LARS (51.2%) and in 95 of 325 patients without LARS (29.2%). This suggests hyperhomocysteinemia may be a risk factor of LARS.

In a Sprague-Dawley rat model of low anterior resection, hyperhomocysteinemia shortened colonic transit time and increased fecal water content. Postoperative supplementation with folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 lowered serum Hcy and reversed these changes.

In our prospective single-arm pilot study, 80 patients who met the same eligibility criteria received Oral B-Complex Vitamin treatment. No adverse events were observed. After 6 months, majority of patients' Hcy levels returned to normal. LARS occurrence was much lower than 62.3%.

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.
277

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

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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

  • Name: Hao Wu, MD, PhD
  • Phone Number: +86 18560086947

Study Locations

  • China
    • Shandong
      • Jinan, Shandong, China, 250012
        • Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

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

18 years to 75 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Aged 18 to 75 years
  • Body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 28 kg/m2
  • Low anterior resection performed for rectal cancer
  • Serum homocysteine level between 15 and 50 μmol/L both before and after surgery
  • No evidence of tumor recurrence or distant metastasis
  • No short-term postoperative complications at the time of enrollment
  • Able to resume oral intake after surgery
  • Signed written informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of, or planned, neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiotherapy or chemotherapy
  • Other severe chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus or chronic respiratory disease
  • Renal insufficiency, epilepsy, or other gastrointestinal diseases
  • Hyperhomocysteinemia caused by inherited defects, such as cystathionine beta-synthase deficiency, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) deficiency or hereditary folate malabsorption, screened by detailed medical and family history; highly suspected cases will be referred for specialist diagnosis and excluded
  • Participation in any other clinical study within the past 3 months

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: Prevention
  • 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: Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12)

Participants will take Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) tablets, one tablet orally twice daily, starting after resumption of oral intake following surgery. Serum homocysteine (Hcy) will be measured at 3 months after surgery: if Hcy remains above 15 μmol/L, the full dose will continue for another 3 months; if Hcy has returned to normal, the dose will be reduced to one tablet once daily.Treatment will continue until the 6-month postoperative visit.
Dietary supplement: Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12)

Film-coated oral tablet (0.3 g) registered as a health food in China (filing No. G201937000905), manufactured by Dongying Guangyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. Each tablet contains vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) 1.38 mg, folic acid (vitamin B9) 286 μg and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) 3.05 μg. Excipients include corn starch, maltodextrin, microcrystalline cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate, calcium carbonate and a film-coating premix.
Placebo Comparator: Placebo

Participants will take placebo tablets identical in appearance, color, odor and packaging to the Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) tablets, one tablet orally twice daily, starting after resumption of oral intake following surgery. The same homocysteine-based dose-adjustment rules as in the experimental arm will apply, and treatment will continue until the 6-month postoperative visit.
Other: Placebo

Oral placebo tablet (0.3 g) containing corn starch and maltodextrin, with no active vitamins, manufactured by Dongying Guangyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. under good manufacturing practice. The placebo tablets are identical in appearance, color, odor and packaging to the Oral B-Complex Vitamin (B6, B9 and B12) tablets.

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
Incidence of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS)
Time Frame: 6 months after surgery (3 months after stoma closure for participants whose protective stoma has not been closed by 6 months after surgery)

Proportion of participants with LARS, defined as a total score of 21 or higher on the LARS score questionnaire. The LARS score is a validated 5-item questionnaire on bowel function (Emmertsen and Laurberg, 2012), with a total score ranging from 0 to 42; higher scores indicate worse bowel function (0-20: no LARS; 21-29: minor LARS; 30-42: major LARS).
6 months after surgery (3 months after stoma closure for participants whose protective stoma has not been closed by 6 months after surgery)

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
LARS Score
Time Frame: 6 months after surgery (3 months after stoma closure for participants whose protective stoma has not been closed by 6 months after surgery)

Total LARS score (range 0-42; higher scores indicate worse bowel function), compared between groups as a continuous variable.
6 months after surgery (3 months after stoma closure for participants whose protective stoma has not been closed by 6 months after surgery)
Serum Homocysteine Concentration
Time Frame: Baseline (preoperative), and 3 and 6 months after surgery

Serum homocysteine concentration (μmol/L).
Baseline (preoperative), and 3 and 6 months after surgery
Systolic Blood Pressure
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months after surgery

Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) measured in the seated position.
3 and 6 months after surgery
Diastolic Blood Pressure
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months after surgery

Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) measured in the seated position.
3 and 6 months after surgery
Anal Resting Pressure
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months after surgery

Anal resting pressure (mmHg) measured by anorectal manometry.
3 and 6 months after surgery
Maximum Anal Squeeze Pressure
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months after surgery

Maximum anal squeeze pressure (mmHg) measured by anorectal manometry.
3 and 6 months after surgery
Presence of Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex
Time Frame: 3 and 6 months after surgery

Proportion of participants with a present rectoanal inhibitory reflex on anorectal manometry.
3 and 6 months after surgery

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.
Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

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: Wei Guo, MD, PhD, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

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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.
December 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.
December 1, 2027

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.
December 1, 2027

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).
November 4, 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.
November 4, 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.
November 10, 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.
November 10, 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.
November 4, 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.
November 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

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.
  • KYLL-2026-04-037-1

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data are subject to China's Regulations on the Management of Human Genetic Resources and will not be shared publicly. De-identified data supporting the published results may be made available upon reasonable request to the principal investigator, subject to approval by Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and compliance with applicable Chinese regulations.

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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