VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR The Advancement of Medicine
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR The Advancement of Medicine
Clinical Trials
Southern Star Research Institute's Clinical Research team is dedicated to helping patients struggling with a variety of digestive health disorders discover new and innovative treatment options. Clinical research trials are the very heart of medical advances, giving many patients the hope they need and the chance to greatly improve their quality of life. From cutting-edge drug therapies to ground-breaking procedures, Southern Star Research Institute is transforming the lives of thousands of patients.

Southern Start Research Institute is current enrolling in the following studies:

Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is a condition that affects the large intestine by causing inflammation and ulcers in the lining. It mainly affects the lower digestive tract. It can affect the entire colon, or only a segment of the lower digestive tract, such as the rectum. In general, the larger portion of the colon that’s affected, the worse the symptoms will be.

Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. It usually involves the entire thickness of the bowel wall, and may be patchy in distribution, meaning, it can cause inflammation and damage in particular areas and leave other areas of the digestive tract unaffected. Because it affects the entire wall thickness of the bowel, it may penetrate through the bowel wall causing abnormal connections between organs called fistulas and infected fluid collections called abscesses.

Diabetic Gastroparesis
Diabetic gastroparesis is a type of nerve damage that slows digestion. High blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage nerves and tissues in your stomach. The damage prevents your stomach from emptying normally. Gastroparesis is also called delayed gastric emptying.
Southern Start Research Institute is current enrolling in the following studies:

Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is a condition that affects the large intestine by causing inflammation and ulcers in the lining. It mainly affects the lower digestive tract. It can affect the entire colon, or only a segment of the lower digestive tract, such as the rectum. In general, the larger portion of the colon that’s affected, the worse the symptoms will be.

Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. It usually involves the entire thickness of the bowel wall, and may be patchy in distribution, meaning, it can cause inflammation and damage in particular areas and leave other areas of the digestive tract unaffected. Because it affects the entire wall thickness of the bowel, it may penetrate through the bowel wall causing abnormal connections between organs called fistulas and infected fluid collections called abscesses.

Diabetic Gastroparesis
Diabetic gastroparesis is a type of nerve damage that slows digestion. High blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage nerves and tissues in your stomach. The damage prevents your stomach from emptying normally. Gastroparesis is also called delayed gastric emptying.

Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
Acid reflux is when acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus, causing symptoms of heartburn, chronic cough, chest pain and even difficulty swallowing. Acid reflux is one of the most common reasons for consulting with a gastroenterologist.
Diagram of esophagus, stomach, and digestive system.
The stomach contains a strong acid called hydrochloric acid, to help with the digestion of food and to protect against troublesome microbes. The stomach lining is accustomed to this acidic environment, but the esophagus is not. Persistent exposure of the esophagus to acid can lead to reflux symptoms, damage to the esophagus or even changes in the lining of the esophagus that may lead to cancer of the esophagus.
When acid reflux is persistent, this becomes a disease condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease
Acid reflux is when acid content of the stomach flows up into the esophagus, causing symptoms of heartburn, chronic cough, chest pain and even difficulty swallowing. Acid reflux is one of the most common reasons for consulting with a gastroenterologist.
Diagram of esophagus, stomach, and digestive system.
The stomach contains a strong acid called hydrochloric acid, to help with the digestion of food and to protect against troublesome microbes. The stomach lining is accustomed to this acidic environment, but the esophagus is not. Persistent exposure of the esophagus to acid can lead to reflux symptoms, damage to the esophagus or even changes in the lining of the esophagus that may lead to cancer of the esophagus.
When acid reflux is persistent, this becomes a disease condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

NASH(Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis)
NASH is an acronym that stands for Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis. It is the most severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and is characterized by the presence of an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver which in some individuals can progress to liver cell injury (hepatocellular ballooning) and inflammation. Hepatocellular ballooning and inflammation – sometimes called necroinflammation – are commonly considered as the drivers of disease progression, or as the underlying causes of the disease. As NASH evolves, over time it can result in excessive scarring in the liver (fibrosis), a natural response to injury which can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.


NASH(Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis)
NASH is an acronym that stands for Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis. It is the most severe form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and is characterized by the presence of an abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver which in some individuals can progress to liver cell injury (hepatocellular ballooning) and inflammation. Hepatocellular ballooning and inflammation – sometimes called necroinflammation – are commonly considered as the drivers of disease progression, or as the underlying causes of the disease. As NASH evolves, over time it can result in excessive scarring in the liver (fibrosis), a natural response to injury which can lead to liver cirrhosis or liver cancer.

Reasons to Participate in Clinical Research
Participating in a clinical research trial can sometimes be overwhelming and intimidating but here are some reasons on how you can make a difference:
- You have the opportunity to learn more about your condition.
- Your quality may improve.
- You have access to new medication and procedures before they are widely available.
- You will have access to physicians without having to wait months for an appointment.
- You do not need insurance to receive medical care.
- You may be compensated for your participation.