Effect of probiotic yoghurt (L. plantarum strain INDUCIA) on healthy volunteers

ISRCTN ISRCTN26344255
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN26344255
Secondary identifying numbers 207/M-11
Submission date
20/03/2012
Registration date
26/03/2012
Last edited
16/12/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Hypercholesterolemia (the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood) is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The cholesterol threat to health has grown out of dietary changes in developed countries, with increasing consumption of saturated fats, to which the human body has been unable to fully adapt. There is strong evidence that a reduction of LDL-cholesterol by dietary changes would generally reduce the risk of development of CVD, particularly coronary heart disease. The consumption of fermented milk products containing health beneficial probiotic lactic acid bacteria may turn out to be a successful solution to prevent CVD by eliminating various risk factors, including elevated cholesterol levels. The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of probiotic yoghurt on lowering blood cholesterol, especially LDL-cholesterol.

Who can participate?
Generally healthy adult persons aged 18 to 65 with elevated LDL-cholesterol levels, who do not take medication. Patients will be recruited through CP clinics in Southern and Central Estonia.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into two groups: one group will consume probiotic yoghurt daily for 8 weeks while the other group will consume a non-probiotic yoghurt daily for 8 weeks. Participants are asked to assess their well-being and gastrointestinal (digestive) effects, but also to provide blood, urine and fecal samples to test the effect of the probiotic.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The study causes minimal inconvenience to participants. As blood samples are taken by an experienced nurse, the procedure is safe. However, there may be bruising and discomfort at the site of the blood test as with any blood test. The amounts of blood we are taking are small enough that they should not make you feel fatigue or cause anemia. There may be local red reactions at the site of the injections. Study participants will receive an assessment of their health status and if necessary, a free consultation with a nutritionist and/or a specialist.

Where is the study run from?
The study is carried out in cooperation between BioCC OÜ, the Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu, and the Maag Dairy Industry Ltd (Estonia). The study takes place at BioCC OÜ in Tartu, Estonia.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The study ran from March to April 2012.

Who is funding the study?
BioCC OÜ (Estonia).

Who is the main contact?
Dr Pirje Hütt, MD (researcher)
pirje.hutt@ut.ee

Contact information

Prof Marika Mikelsaar
Scientific

University of Tartu
Faculty of Medicine
Department of Microbiology
Ravila 19
Tartu
50411
Estonia

Email marika.mikelsaar@ut.ee

Study information

Study designRandomized blind controlled parallel-designed two-armed intervention phase II trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleEffect of probiotic yoghurt comprising L. plantarum strain Inducia on healthy volunteers randomized blinded controlled parallel-designed two-armed study
Study acronymJOG 4
Study objectivesThe consumption of probiotic yoghurt with L. plantarum Inducia helps to maintain/lower blood cholesterol especially Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
Ethics approval(s)Ethics Review Committee on Human Research of the University of Tartu, 19/09/2011, ref: 207/M-11
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedElevated LDL cholesterol levels
InterventionThe consumption of a probiotic yoghurt comprising Lactobacillus plantarum strain INDUCIA: daily dose of yoghurt 150 g, daily dose of probiotic: 8x10^9 colony forming units [CFU]) for 8 weeks vs consumption of control yoghurt (150 g)
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. A significant reduction in blood LDL-cholesterol between probiotic and placebo group after 4 and 8 weeks of product intake
2. The first primary end point: reduction in blood LDL-cholesterol in probiotic group after 4 weeks of product intake
3. The second primary end point: reduction in blood LDL-cholesterol in probiotic group after 8 weeks of product intake

Measured at baseline, at 4th week from the beginning of the trial, and at 8th week from the beginning of the trial
Secondary outcome measures1. In probiotic group maintenance or significant (p<0.05) reduction of:
1.1. Cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio
1.2. LDL/HDL-cholesterol ratio, triglycerides
1.3. HLD-cholesterol
1.4. Adiponectin levels 8-isoprostanes
1.5. oxLDL-cholesterol
1.6. Leptin
1.7. IL-6
1.8. TNFα
1.9. HbA1c
1.10. OSI
2. Maintenance or significant (p<0.05) increase of:
2.1. HDL-cholesterol
2.2. Ca
2.3. iCa
2.4. Vitamin D

Measured at baseline, at 4th week from the beginning of the trial, and at 8th week from the beginning of the trial
Overall study start date12/03/2012
Completion date25/04/2012

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
Upper age limit65 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants200
Key inclusion criteria1. A written informed consent
2. Aged between 18 - 65 years
3. No personally known health problems
4. Elevated levels of blood total cholesterol/cholesterol fractions: ≥3.0 mmol/l for LDL, ≥3.0 mmol/l for LDL/HDL ratio, ≥5.0 mmol/l for total cholesterol and ≥1.7 mmol/l for level of triglycerides
5. No use of any concomitant treatment which could influence the evaluation of the efficacy and the tolerability of the investigational study product, including lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins, bile acid sequestrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, nicotinic acid), supplementation with e.g. omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, oat fiber, niacin, green tea extract, plant sterols, soy protein, psyllium seed husk or probiotics/prebiotics within the preceding 2 months
6. Willingness to maintain a stable diet and physical activity level
7. Normal or not clinically pronounced safety lab values (clinical chemistry, blood count) except for lipids
Key exclusion criteria1. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
2. A history of gastrointestinal disease, food allergy, diabetes and acute infection within the last 2 weeks prior to enrolment
3. Use of any antimicrobial agents within the preceding 2 months or use of any regular concomitant medication including any non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antioxidant products 2 weeks
4. Intolerance to the investigational product/its ingredients
5. Any kind of concurrent disease which could influence the evaluation of the efficacy and the tolerability of the investigational study product
6. Any serious organ or systemic diseases
7. High blood pressure (e.g., >140/95 mmHg)
8. Eating disorder
9. Extensive exercise
10. Genetic hyperlipidemia
11. Drug or alcohol abuse
12. Active weight loss > 5 kg in prior 3 months
13. Participation in other studies within the last 30 days/during the study
Date of first enrolment12/03/2012
Date of final enrolment25/04/2012

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Estonia

Study participating centre

University of Tartu
Tartu
50411
Estonia

Sponsor information

BioCC OÜ
Industry

Kreutzwaldi 1
Tartu
51014
Estonia

Email ene.tammsaar@tptak.ee
Website http:// www.tptak.ee

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Bio-Competence Centre of Healthy Dairy Products LLC (Estonia)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing planNot provided at time of registration

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 01/05/2022 16/12/2022 Yes No

Editorial Notes

16/12/2022: Publication reference added.
07/02/2022: The sponsor organisation has been changed from "Bio-Competence Centre of Healthy Dairy Products LLC (Estonia)" to "BioCC OÜ" and the plain English summary has been updated accordingly.