Comparative study between Iron supplements: a new, patented, sublingual formulation of Iron Citrate versus SiderAL Forte® capsule, to compare the rate and extent of iron absorption after single dose administration in healthy male volunteers
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN89662169 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN89662169 |
| Protocol serial number | CRO-PK-15-298 - Sponsor Code B137 |
| Sponsor | Biofer S.p.A. |
| Funder | Biofer S.p.A. (Italy) |
- Submission date
- 22/01/2016
- Registration date
- 05/02/2016
- Last edited
- 05/02/2016
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Iron deficiency anaemia is a condition where a lack of iron leads to a fewer than normal number of red blood cells. This can lead to less than normal amounts of oxygen being supplied to the organs and tissues in the body. Common symptoms include feeling tired, feeling breathless, heart palpitations and looking very pale. Treatment involves taking iron supplements to increase the amount of iron in the body. Taking iron supplements, however can cause a number of side effects including abdominal pain, constipation and diarrhoea. Sublingual administration, that is placing medication under the tongue to be absorbed, should ensure that the iron is rapidly taken up by the body while avoiding the side effects typically associated with taking iron tablets. The aim of this study was to compare the bioavailability (i.e. the amount of product that reaches the circulation) of the iron, when taken orally (using the commercial product Sideral Forte®) compared to when absorbed under the tongue.
Who can participate?
Healthy adult (18-55) volunteers
What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in group 1 take a single dose of the oral iron supplement. Those in group 2 take a single dose of the sublingual supplement. One week later all participants are given the other type of supplement to take. Blood samples are taken before and after each iron supplement is taken. These blood samples are then analysed to measure the amount of iron they contain.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
No risks and no substantial benefits are associated to a single dose of iron supplements.
Where is the study run from?
CROSS Research S.A (Switzerland)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2015 to January 2016
Who is funding the study?
Biofer S.p.A. (Italy)
Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Alessandro Lapini Sacchetti (public)
2. Dr Stefania Morandi (scientific)
Contact information
Public
Biofer S.p.A, via Canina 2
Medolla (MO)
41036
Italy
Scientific
Biofer S.p.A, via Canina 2
Medolla (MO)
41036
Italy
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Interventional, single centre, single dose, randomised, open-label, two-period, cross-over pilot study |
| Secondary study design | Randomised cross over trial |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | Pilot comparative bioavailability study of sublingual administration of Iron Citrate versus SiderAL Forte® in healthy male volunteers |
| Study objectives | Sublingual administration is more direct than oral administration because the product enters the venous circulation, avoiding the passage through the gastrointestinal tract, with the double advantage of minimising the inter-subject variability associated with the digestion process and eliminating the adverse effects associated with the passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The present exploratory study was aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetic (PK) profile of the test (T) nutraceutical product sublingual iron citrate, sachets containing 30 mg of Fe2+, vs. the reference (R) nutraceutical commercial product, capsules containing 30 mg of Fe2+. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Comitato Etico Cantonale, Canton Ticino, Switzerland, 24/09/2015, ref: CE2943 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Iron deficiency |
| Intervention | A single oral dose of 30 mg of iron, i.e. one sachet of test product (T) and one capsule of reference product (R), was administered to healthy male volunteers under fasting conditions in two consecutive study periods with a wash-out interval of at least 7 days between the two administrations. |
| Intervention type | Supplement |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Rate (Cmax) and extent (AUC0-t) of iron absorption after single dose administration of test and reference products. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Ferritin and transferrin levels after single dose administration of T and R; safety and tolerability data. Eight blood samples were drawn from each study subject 24h, 12h and 0h before and 1h, 2h, 3h, 5h and 8h after the administration of 30 mg of Fe2+ as test and reference products. Samples were analyzed in order to assess serum levels of ferritin and transferrin at each time-point and descriptive statistics of these parameters (Both mean+SD and individual responses) were used as outcome measures. |
| Completion date | 20/01/2016 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Upper age limit | 55 Years |
| Sex | Male |
| Target sample size at registration | 7 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Informed consent: signed written informed consent before inclusion in the study 2. Sex and Age: males, 18-55 years old inclusive 3. Body Mass Index (BMI): 18.5-30 kg/m2 inclusive 4. Vital signs: systolic blood pressure (SBP) 100-139 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 50-89 mmHg, heart rate (HR) 50-90 bpm, measured after 5 min at rest in the sitting position 5. Full comprehension: ability to comprehend the full nature and purpose of the study, including possible risks and side effects; ability to co-operate with the investigator and to comply with the requirements of the entire study |
| Key exclusion criteria | Electrocardiogram (ECG) 12-leads (supine position): clinically significant abnormalities 2. Physical findings: clinically significant abnormal physical findings which could interfere with the objectives of the study 3. Laboratory analyses: clinically significant abnormal laboratory values indicative of physical illness 4. Allergy: ascertained or presumptive hypersensitivity to the investigated nutritional product (iron) and/or formulations' ingredients (e.g. vitamin C); history of anaphylaxis to drugs, nutritional supplements or allergic reactions in general, which the investigator considered could affect the outcome of the study 5. Diseases: significant history of renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, respiratory, skin, haematological, endocrine or neurological diseases that could interfere with the aim of the study 6. Medications: medications, including over the counter (OTC) medications, herbal remedies and nutritional supplements for 2 weeks before the start of the study |
| Date of first enrolment | 30/09/2015 |
| Date of final enrolment | 30/09/2015 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- Switzerland
Study participating centre
Via F.A. Giorgioli 14
Arzo
CH-6864
Switzerland
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Not expected to be made available |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
