Probiotics and health in non-pregnant women: GetGutsy Study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN11295995 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN11295995 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | EC 28.2017 |
- Submission date
- 26/04/2018
- Registration date
- 15/05/2018
- Last edited
- 14/11/2022
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Current plain English summary as of 14/05/2019:
Background and study aims
The study is looking specifically at women of reproductive age (18-65 years) who are not currently pregnant and have a body mass index (BMI) >=28 Kg/m2. An elevated BMI is associated with developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease in later life. The aim of this study is to find out whether daily consumption of a probiotic in a food supplement form could reduce inflammation and improve blood markers of health in this population. A probiotic is a food supplement containing beneficial bacteria that has been shown to be good for human health.
Who can participate?
Women aged between 18 and 65, who are not currently pregnant, have a body mass index (BMI) >= 28 Kg/m2 and who are otherwise healthy.
What does the study involve?
On contacting the research team a screening appointment is arranged. Participants are asked to complete a 3-day food diary, undergo body measurements (e.g. weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, mid-upper arm circumference and body fat assessment), and provide a fasting blood sample and a stool sample (which may be done at home and brought to the hospital using the equipment provided). Blood results and body measurements will be reviewed and those who meet the eligibility criteria are then invited to participate in the study. Any abnormal results are reported to the participant's General Practitioner (GP). At this point participants are randomly allocated to receive either the placebo (dummy) or probiotic supplement to take daily for 12 weeks. Neither the participant nor the researcher know which they are taking until the study is complete. The research team check in with participants via phone and/or email to ensure they have enough capsules and that they are having no difficulties. After 12 weeks a final appointment is arranged again taking all the above information and samples. At this point, participants are offered optional personalized health and nutrition advice/feedback based on information from their initial screening visit.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no known or anticipated risks associated with this study. It has been shown that there are no health risks or adverse side effects associated with taking probiotics. Many women consume probiotics as part of their daily diet. Participants may find that remembering to take the probiotic each day is a minor inconvenience and may find it inconvenient providing the required samples.
Where is the study run from?
University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin (Ireland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2018 to April 2020
Who is funding the study?
Science Foundation Ireland
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Fionnuala McAuliffe
Previous plain English summary:
Background and study aims
The study is looking specifically at women of reproductive age (18-45 years) who are not currently pregnant and have a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30kg/m2. An elevated BMI is associated with developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease in later life. The aim of this study is to find out whether daily consumption of a probiotic in a food supplement form could reduce inflammation and improve blood markers of health in this population. A probiotic is a food supplement containing beneficial bacteria that has been shown to be good for human health.
Who can participate?
Women aged between 18 and 45, who are not currently pregnant, have a body mass index (BMI) ≥30kg/m2 and who are otherwise healthy
What does the study involve?
On contacting the research team a screening appointment is arranged. Participants are asked to complete a 3-day food diary, undergo body measurements (e.g. weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, mid-upper arm circumference and body fat assessment), and provide a fasting blood sample and a stool sample (which may be done at home and brought to the hospital using the equipment provided). Blood results and body measurements will be reviewed and those who meet the eligibility criteria are then invited to participate in the study. Any abnormal results are reported to the participant's General Practitioner (GP). At this point participants are randomly allocated to receive either the placebo (dummy) or probiotic supplement to take daily for 12 weeks. Neither the participant nor the researcher know which they are taking until the study is complete. The research team check in with participants via phone and/or email to ensure they have enough capsules and that they are having no difficulties. After 12 weeks a final appointment is arranged again taking all the above information and samples. At this point, participants are offered optional personalized health and nutrition advice/feedback based on information from their initial screening visit.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no known or anticipated risks associated with this study. It has been shown that there are no health risks or adverse side effects associated with taking probiotics. Many women consume probiotics as part of their daily diet. Participants may find that remembering to take the probiotic each day is a minor inconvenience and may find it inconvenient providing the required samples.
Where is the study run from?
University College Dublin, National Maternity Hospital, Dublin (Ireland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
April 2018 to April 2020
Who is funding the study?
Science Foundation Ireland
Who is the main contact?
Prof. Fionnuala McAuliffe
Contact information
Scientific
UCD Perinatal Research Centre
University College Dublin
National Maternity Hospital
Dublin
D2
Ireland
Study information
| Study design | Single-centre double-blinded interventional randomised controlled trial |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | Probiotics and health in non-pregnant women: GetGutsy randomised controlled trial |
| Study acronym | GetGutsy |
| Study objectives | Consuming a probiotic capsule everyday for 12 weeks will positively impact markers of metabolic health. |
| Ethics approval(s) | The Research Ethics Committee at The National Maternity Hospital, Dublin 2, Ireland, 13/03/2018, ref: EC 28.2017 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Obesity |
| Intervention | Current interventions as of 14/05/2019: Women will be recruited from the Greater Dublin area. They will self identify to the research team in response to flyers, recruitment stalls, social media alerts, and emails. They will be provided with written information about the study. Once the subject has provided informed consent they will undergo a screening visit and eligibility assessment. Subjects will be randomised in a random way to one of two study groups: the intervention group who will consume a probiotic capsule daily for 12 weeks; or the control group who will consume a placebo capsule daily for 12 weeks. The study statistician, who will not be involved in data collection, will produce computer-generated sets of random allocations before the study starts. At the screening visit, eligible subjects will be given an envelope to open, and will be in that study group for the duration of the study. Neither investigators nor subjects will know which study group is placebo or probiotic during the duration of the study. All study products will be manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions. The trial products, both probiotic and placebo, will be provided as identical white capsules, prepacked in tubes, and consecutively numbered for each woman according to the randomisation schedule, concealing allocation from the research team and subjects. Eligible subjects will be provided with a 12-week supply of capsules at baseline. Compliance will be monitored at 2-week regular intervals by email, phone and text communications with participants. At 12-weeks, a further study visit will be arranged. Baseline sampling will include: demographic details, BMI calculation, lipids screening, anthropometry, blood sampling, stool sample, and dietary assessment with a 3 day food diary. Sampling at 12-weeks will include: anthropometry, blood sampling, stool sample, and dietary assessment with a 3 day food diary. Previous interventions: Women will be recruited from the Greater Dublin area. They will self identify to the research team in response to flyers, recruitment stalls, social media alerts, and emails. They will be provided with written information about the study. Once the subject has provided informed consent they will undergo a screening visit and eligibility assessment. Subjects will be randomised in a random way to one of two study groups: the intervention group who will consume a probiotic capsule daily for 12 weeks; or the control group who will consume a placebo capsule daily for 12 weeks. The study statistician, who will not be involved in data collection, will produce computer-generated sets of random allocations before the study starts. At the screening visit, eligible subjects will be given an envelope to open, and will be in that study group for the duration of the study. Neither investigators nor subjects will know which study group is placebo or probiotic during the duration of the study. All study products will be manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice conditions. The trial products, both probiotic and placebo, will be provided as identical white capsules, prepacked in tubes, and consecutively numbered for each woman according to the randomisation schedule, concealing allocation from the research team and subjects. Eligible subjects will be provided with a 12-week supply of capsules at baseline. Compliance will be monitored at 2-week regular intervals by email, phone and text communications with participants. At 12-weeks, a further study visit will be arranged. Baseline sampling will include: demographic details, BMI calculation, triglyceride screening, anthropometry, blood sampling, stool sample, and dietary assessment with a 3 day food diary. Sampling at 12-weeks will include: anthropometry, blood sampling, stool sample, and dietary assessment with a 3 day food diary. |
| Intervention type | Supplement |
| Primary outcome measure | Level of C-reactive protein, measured by laboratory analysis at baseline and at 12 weeks |
| Secondary outcome measures | Collected at baseline and at 12 weeks: 1. Body weight and body fat change, determined by changes in BMI, waist circumference, waist:hip ratio. 2. Inflammation, investigated by measuring changes in inflammatory markers including TNF-alpha 3. Insulin resistance, determined using HOMA index and HbA1c 4. Lipids, assessed by analysis of circulating lipids |
| Overall study start date | 26/04/2018 |
| Completion date | 30/04/2020 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Female |
| Target number of participants | A sample size of 80 is required for a 0.6 change score of log CRP, at 80% power and a type I error rate of 0.05, 40 per group. |
| Total final enrolment | 64 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current participant inclusion criteria as of 14/05/2019: 1. Non-pregnant women aged between 18 to 65 years capable of giving informed consent 2. BMI ≥ 30Kg/m^2 3. Waist circumference > 80cm OR waist:hip ratio ≥ 0.85 4. Raised fasting triglyceride levels Previous participant inclusion criteria: 1. Non-pregnant women aged between 18 to 45 years capable of giving informed consent 2. BMI ≥ 30Kg/m^2 3. Waist circumference > 80cm OR waist:hip ratio ≥ 0.85 4. Raised fasting triglyceride levels |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current participant exclusion criteria as of 14/05/2019: 1. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the following 6 months 2. Age < 18 years or > 65 years 3. Inadequate level of English to provide informed consent or communicate with the researchers 4. Having a condition or taking a medication, dietary supplement or food product that the investigator believes would interfere with the objectives of the study 5. Actively involved in a weight-loss programme Previous participant exclusion criteria: 1. Pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the following 6 months 2. Age < 18 years or > 45 years 3. Inadequate level of English to provide informed consent or communicate with the researchers 4. Having a condition or taking a medication, dietary supplement or food product that the investigator believes would interfere with the objectives of the study 5. Actively involved in a weight-loss programme |
| Date of first enrolment | 21/05/2018 |
| Date of final enrolment | 31/12/2019 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Ireland
Study participating centre
2
Ireland
Sponsor information
University/education
UCD Clinical Research Centre
St. Vincent's Hospital
Elm Park
Dublin
D7
Ireland
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/05m7pjf47 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Research organisation
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- SFI
- Location
- Ireland
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 30/04/2022 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Planned publication in a high-impact peer reviewed journal. |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Professor Fionnuala McAuliffe. The data will be anonymised participant data, if requested for appropriate scientific scrutiny of results, for 7 years after last publication. Consent from participants will have been obtained. Additional documents (such as study protocol, statistical analysis plan, other) are not available. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | 18/03/2022 | 24/05/2022 | Yes | No | |
| Other publications | Study within A Trial | 24/10/2022 | 14/11/2022 | Yes | No |
Editorial Notes
14/11/2022: Publication reference added.
24/05/2022: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The total final enrolment was added.
12/05/2021: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/04/2021 to 30/04/2022.
22/05/2019: Internal review.
14/05/2019: The following changes were made:
1. The interventions were updated
2. The plain English summary was updated.
3. The participant inclusion criteria were updated.
4. The participant exclusion criteria were updated.
