Evaluation of the immune system in children aged 3 to 5 that receive a nutritional complement enriched with beta glucans extracted from the fungus Ganoderma lucidum

ISRCTN ISRCTN29923286
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN29923286
Secondary identifying numbers IN34-2014
Submission date
21/04/2015
Registration date
14/05/2015
Last edited
29/05/2020
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Other
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
The immune system is a system of biological structures and processes that are in charge of protecting the human body from various harmful agents that can damage it. It protects the body from things that could make us ill or cause death, such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system takes time to mature, which means that children under five years of age are more susceptible to infections such as diarrhea and the common cold. One way to help children’s immune systems fight off common infections is to give them food supplements that have extra ingredients designed to strengthen the immune system. A common ingredient used to boost food supplements is called beta-glucan. Beta-glucans come from plants and fungi (mushrooms), and they are well known to help support the immune system. The aim of this study is to see whether a food supplement containing beta-glucans derived from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum can help boost the immune system of children aged 3 to 5 years old.

Who can participate?
Children attached to the Childcare Foundation - Medellin (Fundación de Atención a la Niñez (FAN) – Medellin)

What does the study involve?
Participants are given a nutritional supplement with added beta-glucan to take 5 days a week for 6 weeks. Blood tests are carried out at the start of the study, then again after 6 weeks, to see if the participants’ immune system is stronger after taking the supplement.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The results of this study could lead to beta-glucan-enriched foods being used to improve the health of preschool children.

Where is the study run from?
Childcare Foundation - Medellin (Fundación de Atención a la Niñez (FAN) - Medellin) (Colombia)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
July 2014 to January 2015

Who is funding the study?
1. Progal-BT SAS (Colombia)
2. iNNpulsa (Colombia)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr S Urrego (public)
surregor@progal-bt.com
2. Dr E Higuita (scientific)

Contact information

Dr Edwin Higuita
Scientific

Calle 51 # 51-27
Corporación Universitaria Remington
Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud
Medellin
050010374
Colombia

Dr Sergio Urrego
Public

Calle 25 #65D 53
Medellín
050024074
Colombia

Phone +54 4442060
Email surregor@progal-bt.com

Study information

Study designInterventional open study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)School
Study typeQuality of life
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Scientific titleEvaluation of changes in T cells subpopulations and NK (natural killer) cells in children aged 3 to 5 during a 6 week intervention with a nutritional complement enriched with biotechnologically Ganoderma lucidum extracted beta glucans
Study objectivesA six weeks intervention with a nutritional complement enriched with beta glucans increases the T lymphocytes subpopulations and NK cells in 3 to 5 year old children.
Ethics approval(s)Ethics and Research Board of IPS Universitaria, University of Antioquia (Universidad de Antioquia), 26/11/2014, ref: 076.
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedImprovement in the baseline levels of immune system components in children.
InterventionParticipants receive a nutritional supplement in a maltodextrin matrix, enriched with beta-glucans extracted biotechnologically from Ganoderma lucidum. The supplement is taken 5 days per week, over 6 weeks.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureMeasured in blood sample at baseline then 6 weeks after intervention:
1. CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes counts, measured by flow cytometry in whole blood collected.
2. NK cell counts, measured by flow cytometry (CD16+/CD56+).
Secondary outcome measures1. Hemoleucogram measured by flow cytometry
2. Serum IgA measured by immunoturbidimetry
3. Nutritional and anthropometric measurements evaluated according to WHO guidelines and using WHO AnthroPlus software.
3.1. Weight/Height index
3.2. Height/Age index
3.3. Weight/Age index
Overall study start date01/07/2014
Completion date27/01/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupChild
Lower age limit3 Years
Upper age limit5 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants50
Key inclusion criteria1. Children aged 3-5
2. Children attached to the Childcare Foundation - Medellin (Fundación de Atención a la Niñez (FAN) - Medellin)
Key exclusion criteria1. Children whose parents refuse to sign and accept the informed consent
2. Children outside of the General and Social Health Care System of Colombia
3. Use of corticosteroids or any other medical or pharmaceutical intervention
Date of first enrolment16/12/2014
Date of final enrolment04/01/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Colombia

Study participating centre

Childcare Foundation - Medellin (Fundación de Atención a la Niñez (FAN) - Medellin)
Medellin
-
Colombia

Sponsor information

Progal-BT SAS
Industry

Calle 25 65D-53
Medellin
00000
Colombia

Phone (+574) 4442060
Email progalbt@progal-bt.com
Website www.progal-bt.com
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/037hmn502

Funders

Funder type

Industry

Progal-BT SAS (Colombia)

No information available

iNNpulsa (Colombia)

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planTo be confirmed at a later date.
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

29/05/2020: No publications found.