This study will define the impact of a probiotic supplement on microbiome, immune system, and metabolic syndrome. This study will determine the degree to which a probiotic supplement can 1) improve metabolic markers and metrics of metabolic syndrome, 2) alter microbiota composition and function, 3) impact microbiota metabolites, short-chain fatty acids-potential normalizers of metabolic and immune dysfunction, and 4) regulate immune status and function including reducing chronic, systemic inflammation as assessed by high dimensional immune profiling.
The centrality of the gut microbiota to human health has emerged in just the last decade, with the last three years implicating our modern, deteriorated gut microbiota in numerous chronic diseases. It is likely dietary changes in the last half-century consistent with adoption of the Western diet have had an adverse impact on the gut microbiota. A critically important next step in this field of research is to identify how different probiotic supplements can potentially restore the microbiota in alignment with the optimization of human health, particularly in regard to the reversal or prevention of chronic diseases including obesity, metabolic syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease. This study is designed to elicit and contrast the amount of increase in microbiota diversity and related metabolic output achievable following consumption of a probiotic supplement commonly available to the general population. The results could contribute to dietary recommendations for reversing the chronic disease epidemics of westernization.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
42
Probiotic supplement capsule
Placebo capsule
Stanford University
Stanford, California, United States
Metabolic syndrome parameters: Waist Circumference, Blood pressure, Triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and Fasting Glucose.
10-week change from Baseline (week 4) in the number of subjects presenting 3 of the 5 parameters for metabolic syndrome (waist circumference, blood pressure, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, and fasting glucose) at 14 weeks (end of intervention).
Time frame: Baseline (week 4) and end of intervention (week 14)
Microbiota composition
10-week change from baseline (week 4) in 16S rRNA enumeration at 14 weeks (end of intervention), determined using Illumina-based sequencing.
Time frame: Baseline (week 4) and end of intervention (week 14)
Microbiota metabolites
10-week change from Baseline (week 4) in short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) at 14 weeks (end of intervention).
Time frame: Baseline (week 4) and end of intervention (week 14)
Cytokines
10-week change from Baseline (week 4) in cytokines at 14 weeks (end of intervention).
Time frame: Baseline (week 4) and end of intervention (week 14)
Chemokines
10-week change from Baseline (week 4) in chemokines at 14 weeks (end of intervention).
Time frame: Baseline (week 4) and end of intervention (week 14)
hs-C Reactive Protein (CRP)
10-week change from Baseline (week 4) in hs-CRP at 14 weeks (end of intervention).
Time frame: Baseline (week 4) and end of intervention (week 14)
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