The goal of this clinical trial is to assess whether TRPTI (oleoylethanolamide) can reduce plasma imidazole propionate levels and improve insulin sensitivity and metabolic health in healthy adults aged 18 years and above with BMI 18.5-29.9 kg/m². The main question it aims to answer is does TRPTI reduce plasma imidazole propionate (a gut microbiota-derived metabolite linked to insulin resistance)? Researchers will compare TRPTI 300 mg to placebo in a parallel design to see if TRPTI reduces imidazole propionate levels and improves metabolic health markers compared to placebo. Participants will: * Take 2 capsules of their assigned study product daily for 8 consecutive weeks * Attend 3 clinic visits (at baseline, week 4 and week 8)
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
90
Participants will take two capsules daily, for 28 consecutive days. Their daily dose of TRPTI will be 300mg
Participants will take two capsules daily, for 28 consecutive days. Their daily dose of TRPTI will be 0mg
RDC Clinical
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Imidazole Propionate (ImP)
Plasma ImP concentration: Primary metabolite produced by histidine-metabolizing gut bacteria, strongly associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes risk Change from baseline: Reduction in ImP levels indicating improved metabolic health
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Gut Microbiome Composition
Gut microbiome composition and functional capacity will be assessed from stool samples using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomic sequencing. Analyses will evaluate overall microbial community structure, relative abundance of histidine-metabolising bacteria, and functional pathways related to imidazole propionate production. Measurement details: Analytical method: 16S rRNA gene sequencing and shotgun metagenomic sequencing Units: Relative abundance (%), diversity indices (unitless), and pathway abundance (relative abundance)
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Histidine Metabolic Pathway - Histidine
Histidine: Precursor amino acid for ImP synthesis. Plasma histidine concentration will be quantified as a marker of substrate availability within the histidine metabolic pathway.
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Histidine Metabolic Pathway - Histamine
Histamine: Alternative histidine metabolite. Plasma histamine concentration will be measured as an alternative downstream metabolite of histidine metabolism.
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Histidine Metabolic Pathway - Urocanic acid
Urocanic acid: Intermediate metabolite in histidine degradation pathway. Plasma urocanic acid concentration (µmol/L), an intermediate metabolite in the histidine degradation pathway, will be quantified.
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Health: HOMA-IR
Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function will be assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA). Indices will be calculated from fasting plasma glucose and fasting serum insulin concentrations. Specific indices derived: * HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance) HOMA indices derived using the HOMA2 model calculator (Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Health: HOMA2
Insulin sensitivity and beta-cell function will be assessed using the Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA). Indices will be calculated from fasting plasma glucose and fasting serum insulin concentrations. Specific indices derived: * HOMA2-%B (beta-cell function) using the HOMA2 calculator HOMA indices derived using the HOMA2 model calculator (Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Health: Lipid profile
Triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and HDL/LDL ratio
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Insulin Sensitivity and Metabolic Health: Homocysteine
Homocysteine
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Safety and Tolerability - Adverse events
Adverse events: Any untoward medical occurrences during the study period
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Safety and Tolerability - Blood pressure
Safety and tolerability, vital signs - blood pressure
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Safety and Tolerability - Heart Rate
Safety and tolerability, vital signs - heart rate
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Safety and Tolerability - E/LFT (electrolytes)
Safety and tolerability biomarkers - Electrolytes Tests. These analytes form part of a single standard clinical chemistry panel (E/LFT) performed as one laboratory assessment for safety monitoring rather than independent mechanistic endpoints. A comprehensive clinical chemistry panel will be used to assess E/LFTs. The panel will be performed as a single laboratory assessment using standard automated clinical chemistry methods in an accredited pathology laboratory.
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
Safety and Tolerability - E/LFT (Liver Function test)
Safety and tolerability biomarkers - Liver Function Tests. These analytes form part of a single standard clinical chemistry panel (E/LFT) performed as one laboratory assessment for safety monitoring rather than independent mechanistic endpoints. A comprehensive clinical chemistry panel will be used to assess E/LFTs. The panel will be performed as a single laboratory assessment using standard automated clinical chemistry methods in an accredited pathology laboratory.
Time frame: Baseline to week 8
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