Recent data feature short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), products of gut microbial fermentation, as modulators of the blood pressure of the host. Such modulation may evoke (or arise from) changes in the autonomic reflexive mechanisms, but the link remains unexplored. Therefore, the study aims to explore potential relationship between the dietary intervention-induced changes in the SCFA plasma/fecal content and alterations in the sensitivity of the cardio-respiratory autonomic reflexes. In this cross-over, placebo-controlled study, a group of healthy volunteers will undergo three distinct stages of a four-week dietary intervention, separated by at least two weeks of washout periods. During each stage, participants will receive one of the following interventions: * raw potato starch (a source of resistant type 2 starch, which is a substrate for the endogenous production of SCFAs) * sodium butyrate (a direct, exogenous source of this SCFA) * an amylase-accessible waxy maze starch (a placebo). Plasma and fecal SCFA concentrations will be measured, along with the comprehensive evaluation of the cardio-respiratory parameters and the sensitivity of the autonomic reflexive mechanisms.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
14
Participants will receive potato starch supplement, undergoing gut microbial fermentation and acting as an endogenous source of the short-chain fatty acids, including butyrate. Effects of these compounds on the selected autonomic functions (i.e. cardio-respiratory control) will be further investigated.
Participants will receive sodium butyrate supplement, acting as an exogenous source of the short-chain fatty acid butyrate. Effects of such compound on the selected autonomic functions (i.e. cardio-respiratory control) will be further investigated.
Participants will receive the accessible (digestible) waxy maze starch as placebo.
Wroclaw Medical University
Wroclaw, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Arterial baroreflex sensitivity
Arterial baroreflex sensitivity, measured with a neck chamber technique.
Time frame: From the beginning to the end of a supplementation period at 4 weeks.
Peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity
Peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity, measured with the transient hypoxia test.
Time frame: From the beginning to the end of a supplementation period at 4 weeks.
Plasma short-chain fatty acids
Plasma level of short-chain fatty acids, evaluated with high-performance liquid chromatography.
Time frame: From the beginning to the end of a supplementation period at 4 weeks.
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