Investigating the effect of Plantago psyllium fiber supplementation on levels of cholesterol and inflammation in adolescents with obesity

ISRCTN ISRCTN14180431
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14180431
Secondary identifying numbers CIBIUG-P40-2017
Submission date
17/08/2020
Registration date
24/08/2020
Last edited
19/04/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Circulatory System
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Obesity can lead children and adolescents to have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). A diet supplemented with Plantago psyllium (a type of fiber from the Plantago ovata plant's seeds) has been shown to be effective in reducing certain markers of blood cholesterol and inflammation in adolescents. However, there are no studies that have explored small-dense low-density lipoprotein (sdLDL) nor high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses of cholesterol. The aim of this trial is to assess the impact of a fiber supplement on cholesterol in adolescents with obesity.

Who can participate?
100 adolescents, aged 15 to 19 years old, with obesity will be included in the study.

What does the study involve?
Eligible participants will be randomly allocated to recieve either the Plantago psyllium supplement or an identical dummy pill. These will be taken, dissolved in water, daily over a period of 7 weeks in the morning before food.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefits are the performance of free laboratory tests such as glucose, lipid profile such as cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin and lipoprotein profile with the sub-fractions of HDL and LDL (sdLDL), together with a clinical medical evaluation, which will contribute to the prevention of possible diseases and suggestion of healthy dietary recommendations.

The risks and discomfort that the patient may have are allergy or intolerance to the treatment, an increase in the number of evacuations, and abdominal distension. These side effects would be corrected when the treatment is suspended. Participants or their family members will be advised to suspend treatment if they experience any of these symptoms, and the trial team will determine if any further specific management for the symptoms is needed.

Taking the blood sample involves only the risk of a bruise, which will take between one and two weeks to disappear from the puncture site.

Where is the study run from?
Universidad de Guanajuato (Mexico)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
From February 2017 to March 2020

Who is funding the study?
The University of Guanajuato (Mexico) and Touro University (USA)

Who is the main contact?
Patricia González
patipili999@gmail.com
+52 477 132 91 26

Contact information

Dr Patricia González
Public

UMAE no 48 IMSS Hospital
Avenida México e Insurgentes S/N colonia Los paraísos
Leon
37238
Mexico

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-3401-7519
Phone +52 477 717 48 00 ext 31804
Email patipili999@gmail.com
Dr Patricia Sosa
Public

UMAE no 48 IMSS Hospital
Avenida México e Insurgentes S/N colonia Los paraísos
Leon
37328
Mexico

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-8460-4965
Phone +52 477 3931426
Email patriciasosab@hotmail.com

Study information

Study designSingle centre, double-blinded randomized controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)School
Study typePrevention
Participant information sheet Not available in web format please contact patipili999@hotmail.com to request participant information sheet
Scientific titleReduction of small dense LDL and Il-6 after intervention with Plantago psyllium in adolescents with obesity
Study acronymsdLDLpsyllium
Study objectivesSupplementation with Plantago psyllium alone decreases the concentration of sdLDL and inflammation markers (IL-6) in the population at risk such as adolescents with obesity
Ethics approval(s)1. Approved 03/08/2018, University of Guanajuato (Calzada de Guadalupe S/N, Zona centro, Guanajuato Gto., México CP 36000; +52 473 73 200 06 ext. 5019); ref: CIBIUG-P40-2017
2. Approved 26/10/2018, Hospital de Gineco-pediatría No. 48 (Av. México e Insurgentes S/N colonia Los insurgentes, León Gto., México CP 37238; +52 477 7-17-48-00), ref: R-2018-1002-052
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedCardiovascular disease in adolescents with obesity
InterventionThis study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial with a double-blinded (to the participant and the investigator who gave the treatment) design.

Randomization and allocation to trial group were done using computer random number generation.

All participants were randomized into a 7 week intervention with either 10 g/day of psyllium (equating to 10 g of dietary fiber) Plantago psyllium powder (Kirkland signature ®, Lot 0294B12), or 10 g/day of rice flour placebo (Healthy Flours ® batch AB140119). In both groups, the dose was diluted in 250 ml of water, ingested immediately after dilution with intake of 250 ml of additional water, in the morning, before ingesting food.

The dose of 10 g/day was adopted based on a review of the existing literature, as well as on the volume of fiber and placebo each dose would equate to, so as not to affect compliance with the study protocol.

Both the psyllium and rice flour were packed in opaque bags without labeling the name only as A or B. Each dose was given daily by the blinded investigator.

Adherence to dosing was monitored directly through a checklist and during the weekend through a photograph sent by the participant through What’sApp. Participants were advised to continue their normal eating and exercise patterns during the study period. Three dietary records were collected at baseline and at clinical assessment following the 7 week intervention. Each dietary report encompassed an itemized nutritional intake recorded during two school days and one weekend day. Nutritional intake was recorded using standard household measures, as well as the information from food labels where appropriate. At each visit during the dietary treatment phase, the participants were asked about possible adverse effects or intolerance to psyllium or placebo using an open-ended questionnaire referring to any unusual symptoms or discomfort or side effects such as increased defecation, bloating, flatulence or fullness during the treatment period.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measure1. Anthropometric and biochemical markers measured using the following at baseline and 7 weeks:
1.1. The height and weight of the child measured using a SECA stadiometer (to the nearest 0.1 cm) and a SECA scales (to the nearest 0.1 kg), and body mass index (BMI) was calculated as kilogram per square meter (kg/m2)
1.2. Waist circumference (WC) measured using Lufkin ® metallic tape (to the nearest 1mm)
1.3. LDL and HDL subclasses measured using a venous blood sample obtained after 12 h of fasting processed using the Lipoprint system (Quantimetrix)
1.4. IL-6 measured using an ELISA assay of a venous blood sample was obtained after 12 h of fasting
Secondary outcome measuresSomatometric variables measured using the following at baseline and 7 weeks:
1.1. Blood pressure measured using an Omron® digital baumanometer
1.2. Glucose measured using a venous blood sample obtained after 12 h of fasting processed using enzymatic methods in an autoanalyzer (Spinreact-Spinlab, Model 6002390-412-02)
1.3. Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR) measured using an ELISA assay of a venous blood sample was obtained after 12 h of fasting
1.4. Lipid profile measured using a venous blood sample obtained after 12 h of fasting processed using enzymatic methods in an autoanalyzer (Spinreact-Spinlab, Model 6002390-412-02)
1.5. The atherogenic index (AI) calculated as total cholesterol/HDL-C using measurements from a venous blood sample obtained after 12 h of fasting processed using enzymatic methods in an autoanalyzer (Spinreact-Spinlab, Model 6002390-412-02) and the Lipoprint system (Quantimetrix)
Overall study start date02/02/2017
Completion date02/03/2020

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Other
Age groupChild
Lower age limit15 Years
Upper age limit19 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants100
Total final enrolment100
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 15 to 19 years
2. ≥1 of the following cardiovascular risk factors:
2.1. Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) for age more than 2 standard deviations above the median established in the World Health Organization (WHO) Child Growth Standards
2.2. Altered lipid profile, defined as: total cholesterol >70 mg/dl; LDL cholesterol >110 mg/dl; HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dl; fasting glucose >100 mg/dl; elevated triglycerides >90 mg/dl; or insulin resistance with Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA IR) >3
3. Non-smokers
Key exclusion criteria1. Do not agree to adhere to at least 80% of diet and fiber
2. Diagnosis of a metabolic and/or infectious disease during the study
3. Do not wish to continue in the study or unable to be located for follow up
Date of first enrolment10/11/2018
Date of final enrolment15/12/2019

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Mexico

Study participating centre

Universidad de Guanajuato
Calle 20 de Enero 929
Obregon
Leon, Guanajuato
37000
Mexico

Sponsor information

Mexican Social Security Institute
Hospital/treatment centre

Avenida México e Insurgentes S/N
Colonia Los paraísos
Leon
37328
Mexico

Phone +52 7174800
Email gloria.sosa@imss.gob.mx
Website http://www.imss.gob.mx/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03xddgg98
Universidad de Guanajuato
University/education

Calle 20 de Enero 929
Obregon
Leon Guanajuato
37000
Mexico

Phone +52 477 132 9126
Email apgonzalez@ugto.mx
Website http://www.ugto.mx/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/058cjye32

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Universidad de Guanajuato
Government organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
University of Guanajuato, College of the Immaculate Conception, National College of Guanajuato, UG
Location
Mexico
Touro University California
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
Touro University, TUC
Location
United States of America
Mining Company Santa María de la Paz

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date30/09/2020
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryOther
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in high-impact peer review journal
IPD sharing planData sets generated and/or analyzed during the current study during this study will be included in the publication of subsequent results.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 01/08/2021 19/04/2021 Yes No

Editorial Notes

19/04/2021: Publication reference and total final enrolment added.
24/08/2020: Trial’s existence confirmed by the University of Guanajuato.