The Apple Study: Two Apples a Day, Keep the Doctor Away?

Status Not yet recruiting

Clinical Trial Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn about the gut microbiome in healthy postmenopausal women aged 50-64. The main questions it aims to answer are: - Investigate whether the activity of the bacterial enzyme β-glucuronidase and the abundance of β-glucuronidase-producing bacteria could be decreased by ingestion of 2 apples a day for a period of 6 weeks - Examine changes in gut microbiota composition, diversity, and functional capacity - Examine feasibility of eating 2 apples a day for a period of 6 weeks Participants will eat 2 apples a day for a period of 6 weeks. Six weeks includes the period from the start of the study and gathering of baseline characteristics/questionnaires till the finish.

Clinical Trial Description

It is know that estrogen levels decrease after menopause. There are many different factors affecting these levels though; the gut microbiome has been identified as one of these. Not only the composition of the gut microbiota plays a role here, but also its activity is of special interest. The gut microbiota for instance produces the bacterial enzyme β-glucuronidase which has been shown to de-conjugate biliary excreted estrogens, leading to reactivation and reabsorption of estrogens into the bloodstream. It might be expected that this reabsorption results in elevated blood estrogen levels. Elevated levels of estrogen have been linked to not only development but also recurrence of breast cancer. Apples are known for their pectin which has prebiotic properties and a potential decreasing effect on β-glucuronidase activity. In vitro studies and animal studies have already shown the β-glucuronidase decreasing impact of pectin. In humans this was never examined before. This study aims to investigate whether it is possible to lower the activity of the bacterial enzyme β-glucuronidase and the abundance of β-glucuronidase-producing bacteria by a simple dietary intervention. This dietary intervention consists of the ingestion of two whole apples a day, one in the morning and one in the evening, during the period of 6 weeks. Thereby this study aims to examine the feasibility of this intervention. It is hypothesized that 1. this is a feasible intervention 2. this results in a decrease in the activity of the bacterial enzyme β-glucuronidase and the abundance of β-glucuronidase-producing bacteria. Which would be in line with the findings of in vitro and animal studies and 3. an increase in microbial diversity ;

Study Design

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

Clinical Trial Details

NCT number	NCT05748080
Study type	Interventional
Source	Maastricht University Medical Center
Contact	Marjolein Smidt, prof. dr.
Phone	043 - 3877477
Email	m.smidt@mumc.nl
Status	Not yet recruiting
Phase	N/A
Start date	March 1, 2023
Completion date	October 31, 2024

View Details

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Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.

Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.