The CHLOR-DETOX study is a single-centre, double-blind, prospective, interventional, controlled, exploratory pilot study on subjects environmentally exposed to the organochlorine pesticide (kepone or chlordecone, CLD) in the French Caribbean (Martinique island). To our best knowledge, it is the first clinical trial in such subjects evaluating the potential effect of oral probiotic intake (Limosilactobacillus reuteri) on the reduction of CLD plasma levels (chlordeconemia) and fecal excretion, thus concurring to the reduction of CLD toxicity in study subjects.
The research question focuses on the ability of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri Gastrus (combination of L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 from the BioGaia® company) to reduce CLD toxicity in subjects exposed to this pesticide. In particular, the investigators are interested in whether the oral prescription of Limosilactobacillus reuteri reduces plasma levels of CLD by increasing the fecal excretion of the deconjugated form of CLD. This research hypothesis is based on the presence of a hydrolase activity (glucuronidase) in Limosilactobacillus reuteri that allows the deconjugation of glucuronide derivatives (De Boever et al 2000; Cardona et al. 2002; Martoni et al 2008). Limosilactobacillus reuteri is the probiotic with the highest hydrolase activity. The combination of Limosilactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 and Limosilactobacillus reuteri ATCC PTA 6475 (BioGaia® Gastrus) is currently the best possible formulation for optimal hydrolase activity (unpublished data from BioGaia® laboratory). The investigators also hypothesize that the increase in CLD elimination by the digestive tract through the use of Limosilactobacillus reuteri avoids the appearance of side effects encountered during the prolonged use of classical bile salt sequestrants (e.g. QUESTAN). The effects of oral prescription of Limosilactobacillus reuteri on plasma levels and faecal concentrations of CLD will be compared with a control group under placebo.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
100
The BioGaia® Gastrus probiotic capsule contains the following components: L. reuteri DSM 17938, L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475) at 10\^8 CFU\*/day, fully hydrogenated palm oil; ascorbic acid; tangerine flavour and mint flavour. \*Colony forming Unit
The placebo capsules have the same external appearance and composition as the BioGaia® Gastrus Limosilactobacillus reuteri probiotic capsule (combination of L. reuteri DSM 17938 and L. reuteri ATCC PTA 6475), but without the active ingredient.
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Martinique - Hôpital Pierre ZOBDA QUITMAN
Fort-de-France, France, Martinique
Chlordeconemia
Chlordeconemia measured by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique expressed in μg/L (analytical detection limit LDD of 0.05 μg/L - quantification limit LDQ of 0.1 μg/L) The relative change in chlordeconemia between T0 and T6 months will be compared between the group of patients treated with the BioGaia® Gastrus probiotic and the group of patients treated with placebo. This relative variation will be calculated as the ratio of the difference in chlordeconemia T0 -T6mois to the initial chlordeconemia at T0.
Time frame: 6 months
Chlordeconemia
Chlordeconemia measured by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique expressed in μg/L (analytical detection limit LDD of 0.05 μg/L - quantification limit LDQ of 0.1 μg/L The relative change in chlordeconemia between T0 and T3months will be compared between the BioGaia® Gastrus probiotic treated group and the placebo treated group. This relative variation will be calculated as the ratio of the difference in chlordeconemia T0 -T3months to the initial chlordeconemia at T0.
Time frame: 3 months
Variation of chlordeconemia
The relative variation of chlordeconemia from T0 to T6 months in each group of patients (probiotic group, placebo group) will be described. The plasma half-life values of CLD, expressed in months, will be determined for each group.
Time frame: 6 months
concentration of CLD in the stool
The concentration of CLD in the stool at 3 months (T3 months) and 6 months (T6 months) will be measured using the same method described in the primary outcome (GC/MS technique). The relative changes in stool CLD concentration between T0 and T3mois and T0 and T6mois will be compared between the BioGaia® Gastrus probiotic treated group and the placebo treated group.
Time frame: 6 months
Variation of chlordecone concentration in stool
\- The relative change in stool CLD concentration from T0 to T6months within each patient group (probiotic group, placebo group) will be described
Time frame: 6 months
Plasma total cholesterol concentrations
Plasma total cholesterol concentrations, measured by the reference technique (ultracentrifugation followed by heparin-manganese precipitation and then quantification by the Abell-Kendall method) at T0 , T3 months and T6 months will be described. The relative variations of plasma total cholesterol concentrations between T0 and T3months and T0 and T6months will be compared between the group of patients treated with the BioGaia® Gastrus probiotic and the group of patients treated with placebo.
Time frame: 6 months
Clinical tolerance to BioGaia® Gastrus probiotic or placebo
Treatments will be assessed by adverse event reporting and based on a standardised and internationally recognised toxicity table for adults. This tolerance will be assessed by a telephone interview at T1 month, T2 months, T4 months and T5 months, as well as during face-to-face follow-up visits at T3months and T6months .
Time frame: 6 months
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