The Effect of CanChew® Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Chewing Gum on Irritable Bowel Syndrome

A Randomized, Double-blind, Cross-over Trial of the Effect of CanChew® Cannabidiol (CBD) Containing Chewing Gum on Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Rationale: IBS is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder with a prevalence worldwide ranging from 9-23%. Complaints include abdominal discomfort or pain and altered bowel habits. Although the condition is not life-threatening, it strongly impairs quality of life and up to now there is no cure for IBS. It is assumed that IBS symptoms are related to a combination of altered gut motility and secretion, and visceral hypersensitivity. However, its primary cause still remains largely unknown. The endocannabinoid system, together with some functionally related receptors is among the biological targets considered promising for treatment. Modulation of the CB1 , CB2 and related receptors or enzymes of the endocannabinoid system in a broader sense by (endo) cannabinoids or (and) structurally related lipid mediators can influence motility, secretions and decrease hypersensitivity in the gut. Among the plant-derived cannabinoids or so called 'phytocannabinoids', cannabidiol (CBD) is of special interest as it has shown therapeutic potential in preclinical studies and a growing number of case-reports. CBD is a non-specific phytocannabinoid displaying a broad but weak receptor interaction profile. In contrast to the well-known THC from Cannabis sativa, CBD is not psychoactive and often also present in those Cannabis varieties that are not used for their psychoactive properties but for industrial (fibre) or food properties (oil, flour and seeds) instead. Based on preclinical studies and in vitro data we hypothesize that CBD might be able to relieve symptoms of IBS, including pain in patients with IBS. The chewing gum is to be taken 'on demand' and may have some additional perceived positive effects.

Objective: To investigate whether the use of a CBD-containing preparation in the form of CanChew® chewing gum can contribute to a reduction of IBS symptoms and an improvement of perceived wellbeing in patients with IBS.

Study design: A randomized, double-blind, cross-over trial of 8 weeks in total.

Study population: Adults, aged 18-65, diagnosed according to the ROME III criteria with Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Intervention (if applicable): Patients will, in this cross-over study, receive a maximum 6 chewing gums per day, either containing 50 mg of cannabidiol per chewing gum in case of the CanChew chewing gum, or a placebo chewing gum. This first intervention period will last 3 weeks. Next, participants will undergo a one week wash-out and then switch intervention to either placebo or the CanChew chewing gum for another 3 weeks.

Main study parameters/endpoints: The main study parameter is a change in pain reduction perception experienced and measured by the patient using VAS-scales before and after taking the chewing gum, to be recorded in a diary. Next to this a patient is asked to provide one VAS score for each completed week. Furthermore, the adequate relief will be measured every day. At the end of each week patients will also be asked (from their diary) whether they noticed a change in stool frequency or (and) experienced any side-effects. For the disease-related quality of life the IBS-QOL will be used. This questionnaire will be filled out in week 1, 4, 5, and 8.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Placebo; Other: CBD chewing gum

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Netherlands
  • Gelderland
    • Wageningen, Gelderland, Netherlands, 6700 EV
      • Wageningen University

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 65 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Male
• Female, only when using the contraceptive pill
• Adults, aged 18-65
• IBS, diagnosed according to the Rome III criteria
• More than 3 moments of pain with a vas-score of 4 and higher per week
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use SSRIs, tramadol or tramagetic
• Have a history of intestinal surgery that might interfere with the outcome of the study
• Female patients: currently pregnant or breast-feeding hope to become pregnant during the study, judged by the persons self.
• Female who is not using the contraceptive pill.
• Are an employee and students of the department of Human Nutrition at Wageningen UR, or employee at the MDL department of hospital Gelderse Vallei
• Participate in another research study
• Alcohol use (male more than 14 servings a week, female more than 7 servings a week)
• Cannabis use is from 3 months before until the end of the study not allowed.
• Hypersensitivity to one of the ingredients of the chewing gum
• Drug use (CYP2C19 and CYP3A4) metabolised; medication will be evaluated for this by the principal and medical investigator.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Crossover Assignment
• Masking: Quadruple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Treatment A - Treatment B; 20 patients receive first 3 weeks treatment A and after a week wash-out 3 weeks treatment B	Other: Placebo; Other: CBD chewing gum; Other Names: CanChew®
Experimental: Treatment B - Treatment A; 20 patients receive first 3 weeks treatment B and after a week wash-out 3 weeks treatment A	Other: Placebo; Other: CBD chewing gum; Other Names: CanChew®

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change of pain scores on the Visual analoge scale (VAS) between baseline and 3, 5 and 8 weeks of treatment	The main study parameter is a change in pain reduction perception experienced and measured by the patient using VAS-scales before and after taking the chewing gum, to be recorded in a diary	Baseline, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 8 weeks

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Change of IBS-QOL baseline vs 3, 5 and 8 weeks of treatment	For the disease-related quality of life the IBS-QOL will be used	Baseline, 3 weeks, 5 weeks and 8 weeks

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Wageningen University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2016
• Primary Completion (Anticipated): April 1, 2017
• Study Completion (Anticipated): June 1, 2017

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 14, 2016
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 23, 2016
• First Posted (Estimate): December 26, 2016

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): December 26, 2016
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 23, 2016
• Last Verified: December 1, 2016

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Pathologic Processes; Disease; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Colonic Diseases, Functional; Colonic Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Syndrome; Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: NL58588.081.16

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: No