Effects of A2 milk (compared to regular milk) on asthma symptoms, inflammation and exercise performance in athletes with asthma-related conditions
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN29968077 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN29968077 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | UoK REAG (Sciences) Ref No. 0281617 |
- Submission date
- 07/08/2017
- Registration date
- 22/08/2017
- Last edited
- 08/07/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Stopped
- Condition category
- Respiratory
Plain English Summary
Background and study aims
Asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) are obstructive airway diseases that may be caused (in part) by inflammation in the cells that line the small airways. They are more common in athletes than in the general population. Inflammation in the gut may influence inflammation in the small airways, which may impact on asthma severity. Regular cow’s milk contains a mix of A1 and A2 protein (beta-caseins). Previous research has shown that the A1 type of protein may affect gut transit and inflammation. It has also been shown to pass into the body and affect other organs e.g. skin and it is possible that regular cow’s milk (containing A1 protein) may be linked to EIB/asthma symptoms via this mechanism. Previous research has shown that when individuals switch to using milk containing only A2 protein (beta-caseins) gut transit and inflammation are improved. It is also possible that replacing regular cow’s milk with A2 milk may help to improve immune function and balance, which is another possible pathway linked to inflammation. The aim of this study is to find out whether switching to using milk that contains no A1 protein (A2 only) causes decreases in gut inflammation/damage, reduced airway inflammation and asthma symptoms, and improved immune function and exercise performance in active people with asthma.
Who can participate?
People aged 18 – 45 years with asthma who engage in regular endurance training (at least three times per week)
What does the study involve?
Each participant is required to swap their usual milk with milk provided by the researchers over two 2-week periods. In one period this is regular cow’s milk and in the other period it is A2 milk. Before and after each 2-week period participants complete assessments of asthma severity and undertake exercise and provide blood, saliva and urine samples before and after each test to measure gut inflammation/damage, airway inflammation, immune function, asthma symptoms and lung function.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits other than receiving results and feedback from several breathing and exercise tests. The asthma challenges may cause airway narrowing, which may feel uncomfortable. Participants may feel like it is more difficult to breathe air out, or the chest may feel tight. The dry air used in the test may make them feel like they want to cough for a little while after the challenge. Drinking water relieves this. To reduce risks participants are not be able to take part in the study if their resting lung function appears obstructed (if it is less than 80% of predicted value). Lung function is closely monitored during all tests. If lung function falls below 10% of baseline participants should take their asthma medication to reverse this (e.g. salbutamol). Participants are advised to remain in the laboratory for observation until lung function is within 10% of its resting value. The risks associated with the exercise tests are fatigue, muscle soreness, chest pain, cardiac (heart) symptoms and sudden heart attack. There is also a risk of picking up a musculoskeletal injury (e.g. sprain or strain). These risks are present during any physical activity or exercise (e.g. normal daily activity or training). For those without underlying heart disease, the risks to health are extremely low. Participants are regular exercisers so the risks of adverse or unusual effects are reduced. They are also required to complete a health/physical activity readiness questionnaire to assess their suitability and this further reduces the risk. It is common to experience muscle aches and soreness in the days (usually 12-72 hours) after the exercise tests. During the exercise tests, the test is stopped at any point if it appears that the participant is either having difficulty breathing, is in any other form of distress or if they become injured. There is a small risk of infection at the site where the blood sample is taken but the likelihood is low when following standard health and safety procedures (including sterilising the area before taking a sample). Some bruising may occur and the site may be sore for a day or two afterwards.
Where is the study run from?
University of Kent (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2017 to January 2019
Who is funding the study?
The a2 Milk Company Ltd (New Zealand)
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr John Dickinson
J.W.Dickinson@kent.ac.uk
2. Dr Glen Davison
Contact information
Scientific
School of Sport & Exercise Sciences
The Medway Building
Medway Campus
University of Kent
Chatham Maritime
ME4 4AG
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)1634 202998 |
|---|---|
| J.W.Dickinson@kent.ac.uk |
Scientific
School of Sport & Exercise Sciences
The Medway Building
Medway Campus
University of Kent
Chatham Maritime
ME4 4AG
United Kingdom
Study information
| Study design | Single-centre randomised crossover double-blind study |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised cross over trial |
| Study setting(s) | Other |
| Study type | Other |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | The effect of A2 milk on exercise performance, inflammation and severity of exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) in athletes with asthma-related conditions: a randomised crossover study |
| Study hypothesis | Purpose: To investigate the effect on airway health, inflammatory and immune markers, and exercise performance in athletes with asthma related conditions who switch to using A2 milk from standard (regular) cow's milk. Hypothesis: markers of airway health, inflammatory and immune markers, and exercise performance will be improved in the A2 milk arm, compared to the regular milk arm. |
| Ethics approval(s) | University of Kent, Faculty of Science Research Ethics Advisory Group for Human Participants, 12/05/2017, ref: 0281617 |
| Condition | Exercise performance and airway health in athletes/physically active adults with asthma/asthma-related conditions or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) |
| Intervention | Each participant will be required to swap their usual milk with milk provided by the trialists over two 2-week periods. On one occasion this will be regular cow’s milk (control condition) and on another it will be A2 milk. The order will be randomised using computer randomisation software and neither the researchers nor participants will know which was which until after the study is complete. Before and after each two-week period of using regular cow’s milk or A2 milk participants will complete assessments of asthma severity and undertake exercise and provide blood, saliva and urine samples before and after each test to measure gut inflammation/damage, airway inflammation, immune function, asthma symptoms and lung function. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | All of the following measures will be assessed on 3 separate occasions over the study period - once at at baseline and once after each 2-week period: 1. Eucapnic Voluntary Hyperpnea (EVH) challenge with lung function testing (maximal flow-volume loop method) before and after EVH challenge test. The lung function test will be performed before and at 3, 5, 7, 10, and 15 min post-EVH challenge 2. Urine levels of 9α,11β-prostaglandin and Clara cell protein (CC16) will be assessed in samples collected before and after (~1 h) EVH challenge by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method 3. Exhaled Nitric Oxide levels before and after (1 h) EVH challenge using a exhaled breath gas analyser |
| Secondary outcome measures | 1. To determine whether switching to A2 milk improves markers of inflammation, immune function and intestinal barrier integrity/intestinal epithelial cell damage markers: On the day after the EVH challenge participants will undertake an exercise trial (treadmill running) consisting of 20 min at ~60% maximal aerobic capacity followed by a 3 km performance time-trial in which they must cover this distance as quickly as possible. The following will be assessed before, immediately-post and up to 1h post-exercise: 1. Blood markers of intestinal barrier integrity/cell damage (e.g. iFABP), immune markers and systemic inflammatory, stress and oxidative stress markers (e.g. differential white blood cell count (by automated haematology analyser), phagocyte oxidative burst (stimulated and unstimulated) (by chemiluminescence assay), plasma CRP, inflammatory cytokines, and saliva secretory IgA (by ELISA), glutathione, and lipid peroxidation markers (by ELISA and photometric assay methods) 2. Self-report gut symptoms logged in a questionnaire immediately post-exercise using a visual analogue scale (VAS) 3. Self-report gut symptoms logged in a questionnaire for one rest day and one normal exercise training day (in their normal training schedule), using a VAS, at the beginning and end of each 2-week study period. The Bristol stool scale (self-report) and a frequency log will also be recorded on these days 4. Plasma levels of dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) and beta-casomorphin-7 may also be analysed by ELISA and HPLC methods (depending on equipment availability and access) 2. To determine whether switching to A2 milk improves exercise performance and/or physiological responses to exercise, the following measures will be used: 1. 3 km time-trial performance (completion time) 2. Gas exchange (VO2, VCO2) during exercise using a respiratory gas analyser 3. Perceptual responses (using the Borg rating of Perceived Exertion, RPE, scale) during exercise 4. Heart rate during exercise using short range telemetry 5. Blood lactate concentration before and after exercise using an automated blood lactate/glucose analyser |
| Overall study start date | 01/03/2017 |
| Overall study end date | 31/12/2019 |
| Reason abandoned (if study stopped) | Participant recruitment issue |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 24 |
| Total final enrolment | 9 |
| Participant inclusion criteria | 1. Ability to consent to the research 2. Prior clinician-based diagnosis of asthma 3. Males and females 4. 18 – 45 years 5. Engage in regular endurance training (at least three times per week) 6. Normal resting Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1); defined as greater than 80% of predicted value |
| Participant exclusion criteria | 1. Chest infection within the past 4 weeks, or any other illness within the past 2 weeks 2. Fall in FEV1 >50% from baseline following exercise challenge 3. Baseline FEV1 of < 80% of predicted 4. Respiratory conditions (other than asthma/EIB) e.g. COPD 5. Cardiovascular conditions: 5.1. Coronary artery disease 5.2. High blood pressure 5.3. Heart failure 5.4. Diagnosed abnormality of heart rhythm 6. Metabolic diseases: 6.1. Type 1 diabetes 6.2. Type 2 diabetes 6.3. Pre-diabetes 7. Daily use of oral corticosteroids 8. Hospitalisation due to asthma in the six months prior to study commencement 9. Injury or conditions that limit mobility 10. Pregnancy 11. Known allergy or intolerance to milk or dairy 12. Does not regularly consume milk |
| Recruitment start date | 01/09/2017 |
| Recruitment end date | 31/08/2019 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
Study participating centre
Medway
ME4 4AG
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
University/education
-
Canterbury
CT2 7NZ
England
United Kingdom
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/00xkeyj56 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Industry
No information available
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 31/07/2020 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Available on request |
| Publication and dissemination plan | Intention to submit to peer-reviewed journal(s) by September 2019 (sooner if desired sample size is achieved and study completed earlier). |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from Dr John Dickinson (J.W.Dickinson@kent.ac.uk) or Dr Glen Davison after completion and publication of study results (de-identified participant data). |
Editorial Notes
08/07/2020: The study has been terminated due to insufficient recruitment. The final recruitment number has been added.
23/01/2019: The following changes have been made to the trial record:
1. The recruitment end date has been changed from 01/12/2018 to 31/08/2019
2. The overall trial end date has been changed from 30/01/2019 to 31/12/2019
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 01/09/2019 to 31/07/2020
