The Impact of Vitamin c and Epicatechin Upon Antioxidant Capactity Clinical Trial
Official title:
Cross-over Double-blind Intervention to Investigate the Effects of Defined Antioxidant-containing Drinks on Time Course of Antioxidant Capacity
The aim of this project is to measure the differences in antioxidant capacity at different time points after consuming a single dose of antioxidant-containing drink (vitamin C or epicatechin) compared with a control drink in 10 volunteers, and then match the data with the proposed modelling corresponding to either homeostasis or accumulation. Additionally it will also determine whether the effect on changes of antioxidant capacity in response to epicatechin and vitamin c is equal.
The sample size is 10 volunteers. This was based on an estimate of the number of datasets
required to ensure that at least some of the datasets show time courses that are suitable
for the demonstration. The trial uses a cross-over double-blind placebo-controlled design.
A participant information sheet will be given to the participant to read at least 24 hours
prior to the screening. Eligibility of participants will be checked during the screening
session. The participant anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body fat) will be
taken and a Health Questionnaire will be filled completed.
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy adults, BMI 18.5-30
Exclusion Criteria: Any disease or medication that affects metabolism or digestion, smokers,
common cold or other inflammatory illness at the time of bio-sample collection. Any other
physical or mental condition that in the judgement of the experimenter would mean that
participation in the study would be an undue burden on the volunteer.
At the screening session, the participant will be informed the relevant details of the
study. Specifically they must avoid consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grain
products, coffee and tea, beer and wine for 48 hours before the start of the intervention
and 24 hours after it (however cola, 7-up and similar caffeine-containing drinks without any
real fruits or herbs are fine). After they have had opportunity to ask any questions
regarding the testing procedures, if they are happy to take part, they will be free to ask
and sign a consent form.
Antioxidant Intervention Session:
Overall, each volunteer will be randomised to receive three treatments in a crossover
design, one with epicatechin containing drink as treatment, one with vitamin C and another
without antioxidants as placebo.
The volunteers will avoid consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grain products, coffee
and tea, beer and wine for 48 hours before the intervention and 24 hours after it, and the
intervention will be administered after an overnight fast (12 hours). At each test, the
volunteer will consume 360ml of drink, with either 60mg vitamin C corresponding to a
smoothie, or 80 mg epicatechin corresponding to approx. 56g unsweetened baking chocolate
(Bhagwat, 2014) or no antioxidant (placebo) and all containing 13% sugar (providing 50g a
mixture of glucose and fructose) and a relevant flavouring.
The optimal timing of samples has been determined using mathematical models of the results
from the initial study done for BBC with the help of Professor Gunnar Cedersund (Linköping
University). Capillary blood samples will be obtained by finger prick and collected in
multivette 600 tubes (600µl per tube). at baseline, 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3.5, 5, 6, 8 and
24 hours post dose. Breakfast will be served between 1.5 and 2 hours after consumption of
the drink, and lunch after the 3.5-hour sample has been collected.
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Allocation: Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Pharmacokinetics/Dynamics Study, Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment, Masking: Double Blind (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor), Primary Purpose: Basic Science