Physical, physiological and biochemical effects of AmLexin following exercise in healthy runners

ISRCTN ISRCTN10377494
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10377494
Secondary identifying numbers UNI1306-2
Submission date
13/09/2018
Registration date
03/10/2018
Last edited
07/12/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
AmLexin is a supplement with claims that it can keep joints healthy, protect joints from stress, support heart and joint health, keep bodies going strong and help people to bounce back from physical challenges. This study aims to show that AmLexin can support these claims through recruiting healthy people to take AmLexin whilst training for and completing a half-marathon, along with look at its effects on pain, stiffness, range of motion, mood and cellular oxidation.

Who can participate?
People aged 18-70 years old who are healthy and active and have the ability to train for and complete a half-marathon

What does the study involve?
Participants will be randomly allocated to one of two groups. One group will be given AmLexin to take twice daily for 8 weeks, whereas the other will be given a placebo to take twice daily for 8 weeks. During these 8 weeks, both groups will undergo training for a half-marathon. There will be a minimum of 3 training sessions per week (1 hour per session), with increasing difficulty. These sessions will focus on hill, interval and distance training. After completing the half-marathon, participants in both groups will be asked to take their supplement (AmLexin or placebo) for one more week.


What are the benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may or may not benefit from taking part in this study, depending on the effect of AmLexin on themselves. Participants may face a risk of temporary gastrointestinal discomfort associated with consuming an unfamiliar dietary supplement. Although each of the ingredients found in the supplement has been documented to be extremely safe, there is some possibility that participants, or an unborn child, may be subject to risks that have not been identified. There is a possibility of an allergic reaction to the nutritional supplement or placebo. Symptoms of allergy include rash, wheezing or difficulty breathing or swallowing, dizziness, swelling of the mouth, hands or eyes, a fast heart rate and sweating. Participants may experience muscle stiffness, pain and or injuries relating to the exercise program.


Where is the study run from?
1. Treehouse Athletic Club, Draper, UT (USA)
2. GLH Nutrition, LLC, Draper, UT (USA)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2017 to April 2018

Who is funding the study?
Unigen Inc. (USA)

Who is the main contact?
Lidia A Brownell
lbrownell@unigen.net

Contact information

Ms Lidia Alfaro Brownell
Scientific

2121 South State Street
Tacoma
98405
United States of America

Study information

Study designInterventional randomised placebo-controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet
Scientific titleEffects of AmLexin (Acacia Catechu and Morus Alba) on Redox and Subjective Pain in Healthy Physically Active Adults
Study objectivesTo investigate the use of a dietary herbal supplement on healthy active subjects on measures of pain, stiffness, range of motion, psychological mood state and cellular oxidation.
Ethics approval(s)Aspireirb A WIRB Copernicus Group, 02/05/2017, Unigen2017
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedPain, stiffness, range of motion, psychological mood state (wellbeing, mood, vigor) and cellular oxidation
Intervention30 participants will be randomly allocated to the active group or the placebo group. This study is a double-blind study.
Participants in the active group will receive 400 mg AmLexin (Acacia catechu heartwood and Morus alba root) - 200 mg will be taken twice daily (once in the morning and once in the evening) for 8 weeks. Participants in the placebo group will be given a matched placebo containing white rice flour and starch, again to be taken once in the morning and once in the evening daily for 8 weeks.
During this 8 week period, participants will take part in a training program for a half-marathon run (13.1 miles). This will involve a minimum of 3 specific training runs of approximately 1 hour duration, with progressively higher intensity and duration each week. This includes at least one "hill" workout, one "interval" workout and one "distance" workout.
After completing the half-marathon run, participants in both groups will be asked to continue taking their allocated supplements for one week.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureThe following are assessed at the baseline, weekly during the training regimen (weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), and daily for a week post half-marathon:
1. Range of motions (ROM), assessed using digital inclinometry
2. Pain, stiffness and activities of daily living, assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC)
Secondary outcome measures1. Oxidation-reduction potential (ORP), assessed using the Luoxis' proprietary RedoxSYS Diagnostic System at the baseline and 7 days post-marathon
2. Profile of mood states, assessed using the Profile of Mood States Survey (POMS) at the baseline and 1 and 7 days post-marathon
Overall study start date24/04/2017
Completion date23/04/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit70 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants30
Total final enrolment30
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 18-70
2. BMI < 30 kg/m²
3. Healthy and active
4. No recurrent pain or limitations in range of motion
5. Ability to complete training for, and complete, a 13.1 mile half-marathon run
6. Willing to consume dietary supplements under investigation
7. Willing to undertake all protocol measurements and training regimens
8. Ability to understand and sign the informed consent form
Key exclusion criteria1. Recurrent pain, use of pain medications or pain supplements
2. Pregnant or breastfeeding women
3. Inability to complete prescribed training regimen
4. Current use of other pain support supplement or over-the-counter drug
Date of first enrolment22/07/2017
Date of final enrolment18/08/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • United States of America

Study participating centres

EQQIL/ GLH Nutrition
648 E. Rocky Knoll Lane
Draper
84020
United States of America
Treehouse Athletic Club
1101 East Draper Parkway
Draper
84020
United States of America

Sponsor information

Unigen Inc.
Other

2121 south State Street
Suite 400
Tacoma
98405
United States of America

Website www.unigent.net

Funders

Funder type

Not defined

Unigen Inc.

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date04/11/2018
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal in 2018
IPD sharing planThe datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Lidia A Brownell (lbrownell@unigen.net)

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 31/12/2018 07/12/2021 Yes No

Editorial Notes

07/12/2021: Publication reference and total final enrolment.