Efficacy of Zinc L-carnosine in Maintaining Remission of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), according to the Montreal classification, is defined as a condition that develops when the reflux of stomach contents causes troublesome symptoms and/or complications. GERD, as clinically defined by the presence of heartburn, acid regurgitation, or both, at least once a week, is a global disease, being one of the most common gastroenterological disorders worldwide that affects roughly 10-30% of the general population in the Western world and less than 10% of the Asian populations. GERD complications may be life threatening and range from reflux esophagitis to Barrett's oesophagus and, eventually, adenocarcinoma. Zinc L-carnosine (brand name in Italy: Hepilor®) is a chelate compound of zinc and L-carnosine, with a long history of more than 20 years of clinical use in Japan that has recently become available in Italy for the treatment of any condition that requires a mucosal protection and mucosal repair within the gastrointestinal tract, thus including GERD. However, clinical data in western countries are limited. The aim of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study is to demonstrate the efficacy of Zinc-l-carnosine in maintaining GERD clinical remission during a 12-week treatment.