This study plans to evaluate the effect of consuming a symbiotic (probiotic + prebiotic) for 3 months on body weight, body composition, glucose sensitivity, and psychological parameters, as well as on gut and blood microbial composition. Synbiotic consumption is preceded by a 3-day antibiotic course to help ensure the opening of new niches (houses) for the upcoming beneficial bacteria.
This is a triple-blinded, randomized clinical trial in which participants will be allocated to one of two groups: 1) 3-day antibiotic followed by synbiotic consumption for 3 months or 2) 3-day antibiotic followed by placebo consumption for 3 months. Blood and stool samples will be collected before the antibiotic, and before and after the symbiotic intervention in both groups. Gut microbial composition will be analyzed through whole genome sequencing and blood microbial composition through 16S rRNA. Glucose sensitivity will be measured through fasting glucose, fasting insulin, and HbA1c. Body composition through DXA and BodPod will be measured before and after the symbiotic intervention. Psychological questionnaires such as the Beck Anxiety and the Beck Depression Inventories, as well as the RED-9 questionnaire to respectively measure anxiety, depression, and food cravings, will be applied before and after the symbiotic intervention.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
60
WBF-038: Noninfectious and nonhazardous lyophilized commensal bacteria (probiotics). Contains no genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and contains no animal ingredients or by-products, and were originally isolated from human sources. The (probiotic) strains are grown in a FDA registered food facility, adhering to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions. Probiotic Ingredients: Clostridium butyricum WBSTR-0006, Clostridium beijerinckii WB-STR-0005, Anaerobutyricum hallii WB-STR-0008, Akkermansia muciniphila WBSTR-0001, and Bifidobacterium infantis The product also contains: Chicory inulin and oligofructose (prebiotic fiber), hypromellose (vegetarian capsule), fruit \& vegetable juice (coloring agent), magnesium stearate and silica (flow agent for encapsulation)
Ingredients: Chicory inulin and oligofructose (prebiotic fiber, hypromellose (vegetarian capsule), fruit \& vegetable juice (coloring agent), magnesium stearate and silica (flow agent for encapsulation).
Total Body Fat Mass through DXA (percentage)
We will measure body fat mass by using DXA analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Total Body Fat Mass through BodPod (percentage)
We will measure body fat mass by using BodPod analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Fat Mass to Height (kg/m2)
We will measure body fat mass by using DXA analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Fat Mass (kg)
We will measure body fat mass by using BodPod analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Body Lean Mass to Height (kg/m2)
We will measure body lean mass by using DXA analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Fat Free Mass (%)
We will measure body lean mass by using BodPod analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Fat Free Mass (Kg)
We will measure body lean mass by using BodPod analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
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Visceral Fat Volume (cm3)
We will measure body visceral mass by using DXA and BodPod analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Visceral Fat Mass (grams)
We will measure body visceral mass by using DXA and BodPod analysis.
Time frame: These analyses will take place right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Fasting Glucose (mg/dL)
We will measure fasting glucose after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Blood samples will be taken before the antibiotic, before the synbiotic/placebo, and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Fasting Insulin (mIU/L)
We will measure fasting insulin after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Blood samples will be taken before the antibiotic, before the synbiotic/placebo, and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
HbA1c (%)
We will measure HbA1c after a 12h fast.
Time frame: Blood samples will be taken before the antibiotic, before the synbiotic/placebo, and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Anxiety (number in 0-63 scale)
We will measure anxiety by using the Beck Anxiety inventory. The higher the number, the higher the anxiety levels.
Time frame: These questionnaires will be applied right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Depression (number in 0-63 scale)
We will measure depression by using the Beck Depression inventory. The higher the number, the higher the depression.
Time frame: These questionnaires will be applied right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Food cravings (number in 0-52 scale)
We will measure food cravings by using the Reward-based Eating Drive questionnaire (RED-9). The higher the number, the higher the cravings.
Time frame: These questionnaires will be applied right before and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Gut Microbial Composition (depending on funding availability at the time of analysis)
We plan to measure gut microbial composition by performing whole metagenome sequencing previously stored in Zymo stool collection tubes.
Time frame: Stool samples will be collected right before the antibiotic, right before the synbiotic/placebo intervention, and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Blood Microbial Composition (depending on funding availability at the time of analysis)
We plan to measure blood microbial composition by performing 16S rRNA in blood samples previously stored in Zymo blood collection tubes.
Time frame: Blood samples will be collected right before the antibiotic, right before the synbiotic/placebo intervention, and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Body Weight (kg)
Body weight will be measured with a calibrated scale.
Time frame: Measurements will take place at each of the 3 visits: right before the antibiotic, right before the synbiotic/placebo, and right after the 3-month synbiotic/placebo intervention.
Body Height (meters)
Body height will be measured with a stadiometer.
Time frame: Measurement will take place at the first visit.