NCT04626609

Prostaglandin and Cannabinoid Receptors in EoE

Prostaglandin and Cannabinoid Receptors in the Development of Eosinophilic Esophagitis

• Status: Completed
• Phase: —
• Study type: Observational
• Enrollment: 45 (actual)
• Sponsor: Medical University of Graz · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The purpose of this study is to investigate prostaglandin and cannabinoid receptors and their endogenous ligands in eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). A prostaglandin D2 receptor antagonist has been shown to improve disease symptoms suggesting a regulatory role for bioactive lipids in EoE. Prostaglandin D2 and E2, and endocannabinoids are lipid mediators that govern the functional and inflammatory behavior of immune cells critical for EoE development. The prostaglandin D2 and E2 receptor axis, and the components of the endocannabinoid may be involved in the pathogenesis of EoE.

Detailed description

Prostaglandin D2 and E2 receptors, and components of the endocannabinoid system (cannabinoid receptors and endocannabinoid-metabolizing enzymes) are examined in mucosal esophageal biopsies and blood leukocytes from EoE patients (acute and in remission), individuals with gastroesophageal reflux and from individuals with no esophageal disease. Expression of these components are compared between all cohorts by polymerase chain reaction, Western blots, flow cytometry and immunohistochemical methods. EoE disease activity is evaluated by determining a symptom score and the number of eosinophils per high-power field (hpf) in histologic sections of mucosal biopsies. Additionally, an Endoscopic Reference Score (EREFS) is used. Disease activity is correlated with cannabinoid/prostaglandin D2 and E2 receptor expression. Blood is collected and immediately processed for flow cytometric experiments. Prostaglandins and endocannabinoids are measured in plasma and esophageal mucosal biopsy samples of all cohorts by mass spectrometry.

Conditions

• Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Biopsy samples	Esophageal mucosal biopsies are collected during gastroscopy
OTHER	Blood samples	Blood will be drawn by venipuncture into citrate- or ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-containing vacutainer tubes and into serum tubes

Timeline

• Start date: 2021-07-01
• Primary completion: 2024-11-01
• Completion: 2024-11-18
• First posted: 2020-11-12
• Last updated: 2025-05-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Austria