Mechanisms of Gulf War Illness
VA Office of Research and Development
Summary
Many veterans with Gulf War Illness developed chronic gastrointestinal symptoms during their deployment to the Persian Gulf. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of these chronic gastrointestinal symptoms are not well understood but cause significant morbidity in veterans. Our proposed studies will provide an innovative and novel treatment trial for chronic gastrointestinal symptoms in veterans with Gulf War Illness that were deployed into war zones. Given that there are currently no specific treatments for these disorders, and that current symptomatic approaches are far from ideal, proof of principle of our trial would be an extremely important advance as it would not only have a beneficial impact on the health of many thousands of our veterans, but also it would substantially reduce the many negative economic effects of this ailment on the VA Health Care System.
Description
Since 2001, more than 2.2 million US veterans have served in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in Iraq. The Gulf Registry of the VA Environmental Epidemiology Service identified the majority of these veterans as having chronic health complaints of undetermined etiology. Among the symptoms most frequently reported by veterans with Gulf War Illness (GWI) were chronic fatigue, frequent or persistent headache, frequent or persistent muscle or joint pain, and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. GI symptoms (e.g., diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain) re…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: 1. Veterans 18-65 years old with GWI and chronic GI symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating) that started during their deployment in the Persian Gulf 2. Veterans 18-65 years old with GWI and chronic GI symptoms (abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating) 3. increased intestinal permeability on the lactulose/mannitol permeability test (ratio \>0.07) 4. able and willing to cooperate with the study Exclusion Criteria: 1. current participation in another research protocol or unable to give informed consent 2. women with a positive urine pregnancy test or breastfeeding 3. histo…
Interventions
- Dietary SupplementOral Glutamine
You will receive an unmarked packet with either glutamine or whey protein powder. Once the packet is opened, the powder should be mixed completely with 8 oz of water. You should completely drink this mixture within 10 minutes. You will consume one packet three times a day for 12 weeks. One packet 30 minutes before breakfast, one packet 30 minutes before lunch, and one packet 30 minutes before the evening meal.
- OtherControl Arm
You will receive an unmarked packet with either glutamine or whey protein powder. Once the packet is opened, the powder should be mixed completely with 8 oz of water. You should completely drink this mixture within 10 minutes. You will consume one packet three times a day for 12 weeks. One packet 30 minutes before breakfast, one packet 30 minutes before lunch, and one packet 30 minutes before the evening meal.
Location
- Memphis VA Medical Center, Memphis, TNMemphis, Tennessee