Lipid Absorption and Metabolism Clinical Trial
Official title:
Diurnal Variation of Plasma Concentration of EPA and DHA and Absorption of Doses Taken at Hora Somni
This study will evaluate the absorption of two different dietary supplements containing the omega 3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid over 24 hours via venous blood plasma following a single dose taken at bed time. In addition, the circadian rhythm of fatty acid metabolism will also be assessed following the placebo intervention.
The bioavailability of the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) can be influenced by a number of factors including chemical
structure of the fatty acid binding form and the food matrix with which the fatty acids are
consumed. In addition to this, there is evidence from animals that the lipid metabolism
follows a circadian pattern, although this has yet to be investigated in humans.
The supplement is produced as a soft gelatine capsule containing fish oil based high
concentrate omega-3 fatty acids designed to improve bio availability via a self-emulsifying
drug delivery system (SMEDDS). The in-situ formation of an emulsion occurs spontaneously
when the capsule erupts in vivo and the SMEDDS solution comes in contact with the
gastro-intestinal contents. The size of the microdroplets that are formed is in the lower
micrometer range, the advantage of which is a much larger combined surface area compared to
drops of oil which results in better access for pancreatic lipases. The resulting free fatty
acids may then readily be absorbed during its passage through the upper small intestine
resulting in an effective absorption of the oil.
Therefore duel objectives of this study are to determine the bioavailability in healthy
middle aged adults of two formulations of fish oil taken at bed time using SMEDDS and to
evaluate the diurnal variation in background plasma fatty acids.
All study visits will take place on the 4th floor of the Northumberland Building,
Northumbria University within a suite of facilities comprising the Nutrition Kitchen, Sleep
Centre, Clinical space and the waiting room of the Brain, Performance and Nutrition Research
Centre. Participants will attend the lab on five separate occasions. The first visit will be
a screening/introductory visit. The Introductory visit to the laboratory will comprise:
providing each participant with a 'participant information sheet', briefing them on the
requirements of the study and signing of the informed consent form and completion of the
Case Report Form (CRF; including self-reported health screening and collection of
demographic data). Participants will then attend the lab for four study visits which will be
separated by at least 6 days, each of which will be identical except for the treatment that
they will consume. On each of the study visits participants will arrive at the lab at 19:30
having consumed nothing but water for at least 2 hours prior to their arrival where their
continued eligibility will be assessed. A cannula will then be inserted into a vein in the
arm of the non-dominant hand. The first blood sample will be collected immediately prior to
their evening meal which will be served at 20:00 and will be followed by a rest period. At
22:00 participants will consume their evening's treatment. Lights out will be at 22:30.
Blood samples will be drawn every 2 hours through the night at 00:00, 02:00 and 04:00.
Participants will be woken up at 06:00 and a blood sample will be taken straight away. Blood
samples will continue to be collected every two hours until 22:00 when the cannula will be
removed. Meals will be provided at 07:00, 12:00, 16:00 and 20:00, with the evening meal
being exactly the same as the previous evening. Participants will have ad libitum access to
water throughout the study visit. They will also be allowed to consume tea and coffee
throughout the day however the content and the timing of the hot drinks they consume on the
first study visit will be replicated for the subsequent visits. Similarly, if they do not
eat all of the meals that are provided in their entirety, this will be recorded and
replicated for the subsequent visits. In between meals and blood samples participants will
be required to remain within the facilities where they will be allowed to read, write, watch
television or listen to music.
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Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Bio-availability Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)