Using beetroot juice to improve recovery after colorectal surgery

Use of Beetroot Juice to Protect Against Postoperative Ileus Following Colorectal Surgery: BEET IT Study

This study tests if drinking beetroot juice before colorectal surgery can help adults recover faster and reduce complications after the operation.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 2
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 170 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years and up
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University Hospital, Ghent (Academic / other)
• Drugs / interventions: radiation
• Locations: 6 sites (Edegem and 5 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT05133024 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The BEET IT study investigates whether preoperative consumption of beetroot juice can enhance gastrointestinal recovery and reduce the duration of postoperative ileus (POI) in adults undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to consume either concentrated beetroot juice or a placebo for one week before surgery. The study collects blood, tissue, and fecal samples at various time points to analyze markers related to inflammation, oxidative stress, and gastrointestinal function. Follow-up occurs for three months post-surgery to assess outcomes related to POI.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic colorectal surgery requiring an anastomosis.

Not a fit: Patients with a history of inflammatory bowel disease or those currently using gut motility influencing agents may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve recovery times and reduce complications for patients undergoing colorectal surgery.

How similar studies have performed: While the use of beetroot juice for this specific purpose is novel, other studies have explored the benefits of dietary nitrates in various health contexts with promising results.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adult patients undergoing elective colonic and upper rectum laparoscopic surgery requiring an anastomosis, without the need of conversion

Exclusion Criteria:

General:

* \< 18 years of age
* Pregnancy or breast feeding

Medical:

* Psychiatric pathology capable of affecting comprehension and judgment faculty
* History of inflammatory bowel disease
* Chronic vascular disease affecting the intestines
* Chronic constipation (\<= 2 bowel movements/week)
* Previous abdominal or pelvic radiation treatment
* Recent (\< 3 months before inclusion) or current intra-abdominal infection or inflammation (e.g. diverticulitis, appendicitis, cholecystitis)
* Use of gut motility influencing agents (e.g. tricyclic antidepressants, chronic use of laxatives)
* Use of nitrates (e.g. isosorbide dinitrate, nitroglycerin), including daily consumption of beetroot juice (unless stopped for a month prior to the intervention period)
* Hypotension (\< 100/60 mmHg)
* Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus
* Renal or hepatic insufficiency
* Known allergies or intolerances to beetroot, nitrates/nitrites
* Enrollment in other clinical trials/experiments, unless approved by the Ethics Committee(s)

Surgical:

* History of prior colorectal surgery
* Emergency surgery
* Open surgery
* Colorectal surgery not requiring an anastomosis (e.g. colotomy, wedge resection)
* More than 1 bowel anastomosis planned
* Concomitant surgical procedures required (e.g. resection of liver or lung metastases)
* Protective stoma planned

Where this trial is running

Edegem and 5 other locations

• Antwerp University Hospital — Edegem, Belgium (Recruiting)
• Hospital East-Limburg — Genk, Belgium (Active_not_recruiting)
• AZ Sint-Lucas Ghent — Ghent, Belgium (Recruiting)
• Ghent University Hospital — Ghent, Belgium (Recruiting)
• University Hospital Leuven — Leuven, Belgium (Recruiting)
• Vitaz — Sint-Niklaas, Belgium (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Wim Ceelen, MD, PhD

Conditions Postoperative Ileus