This open-label, single-group study evaluated the effects of a 3-month oral synbiotic dietary supplement on vaginal and intestinal microbiota in women with a positive human papillomavirus (HPV) test. Vaginal and intestinal microbiota were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of supplementation. Secondary assessments included HPV clearance, vaginal health, safety and tolerability, and treatment adherence.
Human papillomavirus infection has been associated with changes in the vaginal microbiota. The intestinal microbiota may also influence immune responses through the gut-vagina axis and could therefore be relevant to the persistence or clearance of HPV infection. This was an exploratory, open-label, single-group interventional study in women aged 30 to 65 years with a positive HPV polymerase chain reaction test and either normal cervical cytology or cytological findings classified as atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), or atypical glandular cells (AGC). Participants received Papilozumib, an oral synbiotic dietary supplement, for 3 months. The recommended daily dose was three capsules: two capsules in the morning while fasting and one capsule before the midday meal. Vaginal and intestinal microbiota samples were collected at baseline and at Month 3. Microbiota composition was assessed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing to characterize the relative abundance and distribution of microbial taxa. Vaginal microbiota assessment included characterization of Lactobacillus-dominated community state types. Intestinal microbiota assessment included taxonomic composition and selected microbial functional genes. Secondary assessments included HPV status by polymerase chain reaction, vaginal health measured using the Bachmann Vaginal Health Index, adverse events and tolerability, and adherence based on product-dispensing records. Safety evaluations included physical and gynecological examinations, vital signs, anthropometric measurements, and review of concomitant medications.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
21
Oral synbiotic dietary supplement containing extracts of Hericium erinaceus, Cordyceps sinensis, and Ganoderma lucidum, together with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, vitamins C, E, D3 and A, zinc, selenium, and acerola extract. Participants received three capsules daily for 3 months: two capsules in the morning while fasting and one capsule before the midday meal.
Instituto Palacios, Salud y Medicina de la Mujer
Madrid, Madrid, Spain
Change in vaginal microbiota composition
Change from baseline in the composition of the vaginal microbiota, assessed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The assessment includes the relative abundance and distribution of vaginal microbial taxa and characterization of Lactobacillus-dominated community state types.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3
Change in intestinal microbiota composition
Change from baseline in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, assessed by shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The assessment includes the relative abundance and distribution of intestinal microbial taxa, microbial diversity using the Shannon index, and the abundance of 22 prespecified microbial functional genes.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3
HPV clearance at Month 3
Number and percentage of participants with a positive human papillomavirus polymerase chain reaction test at baseline who have a negative polymerase chain reaction test at Month 3.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3
Change in Bachmann Vaginal Health Index score
Change from baseline in the Bachmann Vaginal Health Index total score. The index assesses vaginal elasticity, secretion type and consistency, vaginal pH, epithelial integrity, and moisture. Each component is rated on a 1-to-5 Likert scale, with higher scores indicating better vaginal health.
Time frame: Baseline and Month 3
Number of participants with adverse events
Number and percentage of participants who experience adverse events during the treatment period. Adverse events will be summarized according to their nature and severity to assess the safety and tolerability of the dietary supplement.
Time frame: From the first dose through Month 3
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Treatment adherence based on dispensing records
Adherence to the prescribed regimen of three capsules daily, assessed using study product dispensing records.
Time frame: From baseline through Month 3