Using beetroot juice to improve recovery after colorectal surgery

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

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.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

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 it's running

• Antwerp University Hospital
  Edegem, Belgium 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
• Hospital East-Limburg
  Genk, Belgium Active not recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Wim Ceelen, MD, PhD
• Email: wim.ceelen@ugent.be
• Phone: 093326251

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.