Mediterranean protocol diet rich in whole grains to treat the risk factor "Metabolic Syndrome" in cancer patients

ISRCTN ISRCTN30371072
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN30371072
Secondary identifying numbers N/A
Submission date
05/10/2015
Registration date
19/10/2015
Last edited
08/10/2015
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a combination of factors which increase a person’s risk of cardiovascular disease (disease of the heart and/or blood vessels). Many of these factors are linked with obesity, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and body fat. Obesity is therefore considered to be the primary cause of metabolic syndrome, although there is evidence that it is related to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is where levels of insulin are so high that the cells in the body stop reacting to it. This means that the body is unable to process sugars properly and so blood sugar can become very high (hyperglycaemia). Metabolic syndrome also puts people at risk of developing cancer, and so improving the factors which make up metabolic syndrome could potentially help prevent some cancers. The Mediterranean diet is considered to be one of the healthiest diets worldwide. Rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, it has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and can keep obesity under control. The aim of this study is to find out whether a Mediterranean diet that is also high in fibre can help to reduce the factors which make up metabolic syndrome in cancer patients.

Who can participate?
Adult cancer patients showing signs of having metabolic syndrome.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated into two groups. The first group are given a diet rich in whole grains and omega 3 fatty acids for a period of six months. Throughout the study, participants are asked to keep a food diary and attend weekly meetings in order to provide support and encouragement. The second group are provided with general information about a healthy diet with the same nutritional recommendations as the first group at the start of the study. No additional sessions are offered to provide help and support throughout the study for these participants however. At the start and end of the study participants in both groups are measured to find out if they have lost weight, and undergo blood tests to check their blood fat, cholesterol and sugar levels.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from resolution of their metabolic syndrome because of the change to their diet. There are no risks of participating in the study.

Where is the study run from?
National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale" (Italy)

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

Who is funding the study?
National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale" Foundation (Italy)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Vincenzo Quagliariello
quagliariello.enzo@gmail.com

Contact information

Dr Vincenzo Quagliariello
Scientific

Via M. Semmola
Naples
80131
Italy

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0002-4557-5401
Phone +39 331 776 7430
Email quagliariello.enzo@gmail.com

Study information

Study designSingle-centre pilot randomised parallel trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised parallel trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typePrevention
Scientific titleEffects of Mediterranean-style diet on inflammation markers and reversion of metabolic syndrome in cancer patients: role of plasmatic calprotectin
Study acronymOncoMedDiet
Study objectivesA Mediterranean diet with higher grain fiber intake would reduce the components of the metabolic syndrome in cancer patients independently of cancer stage or therapy, compared to a habitual Mediterranean diet.
Ethics approval(s)Not provided at time of registration
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedMetabolic syndrome
InterventionCancer patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control diet. All participants in the study did not follow any kind of diet treatment eight months before the study. In addition, all participants did not practice physical exercise and maintained a constant weight at about 12 months and before the start of the study, each patient completed a daily food diary for initial screening test.

Intervention diet: Participants were given detailed information about the expected slimming, anti inflammatory and protective effects on its lipid and glucose homeostasis consuming suggested foods. In fact, we organized weekly meetings with cancer patients in order to accurately follow the course of the diet by using food diaries, providing also detailed explanations, psychological support and motivation throughout 6 months of diet. The caloric breakdown of the diet given in the intervention group was based on the following distribution: carbohydrates 50-55%, proteins 15-20%, total fat around 30% and saturated fat less than 10%.

Control diet: Participants followed general information about healthy food choices at baseline and at subsequent visits but were offered no specific individualized program. However, the general recommendation for macro-nutrient composition of the diet was similar to that for the intervention group (carbohydrates, 50-55%, proteins 15%-20% and total fat 30%.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measure1. Metabolic syndrome markers (waist circumference, blood pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose) measured using anthropometrics and blood analysis at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months
2. Plasma calprotectin measured using blood analysis at baseline, 2, 4 and 6 months
Secondary outcome measures1. C-Reactive Protein measured by blood analysis at baseline 2, 4 and 6 months
2. Homocysteine measured by blood analysis at baseline 2, 4 and 6 months
3. Insulin measured by blood analysis at baseline 2, 4 and 6 months
4. HOMA-IR measured by blood analysis at baseline 2, 4 and 6 months
5. LDL-cholesterol measured by blood analysis at baseline 2, 4 and 6 months
Overall study start date06/05/2014
Completion date14/07/2015

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants150
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged between 18 and 65 years
2. Oncology patients
3. Have at least three of the following characteristics:
3.1. Waist circumference of at least 88 cm in women and 102 cm in men
3.2. Low levels of serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), specifically less than 40 mg/dL for men and less than 50 mg/dL for women (or taking drug treatment for reduced HDL-C)
3.3. Hypertriglyceridemia with triglycerides level of at least 150 mg/dL (or taking drug treatment for elevated triglycerides is an alternate indicator)
3.4. Systolic blood pressure of at least 130 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure of at least 85 mmHg (or taking antihypertensive drug treatment in a patient with a history of hypertension)
3.5. Fasting plasma glucose value of 100 mg/dL or greater due to loss of glucose homeostasis (or taking drug treatment of elevated glucose is an alternate indicator)
Key exclusion criteria1. Patients with cognitive and psychosocial problems
2. Genetic disorders
3. Smokers
4. Drug addicts or abusers of alcohol (consumption of at least ≥500 g/wk in the last year)
Date of first enrolment10/06/2014
Date of final enrolment13/01/2015

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Italy

Study participating centres

National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale"
Department of Cardiology
Via M. Semmola
Naples
80131
Italy
National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale"
Department of Abdominal Oncology
Via M. Semmola
Naples
80131
Italy

Sponsor information

National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale" Foundation
Hospital/treatment centre

Via M. Semmola
Naples
80131
Italy

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/04tfzc498

Funders

Funder type

Hospital/treatment centre

National Cancer Institute "G. Pascale" Foundation

No information available

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/09/2016
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPublication of results in the Journal of Nutrition, Cancer and Cardiovascular disease and presenting the abstract, posters and a discussions at the International Workshop on Cardiology (AICO-AIOM) and cancer in the next year.
IPD sharing plan