clinical trial evaluating the viability of l. casei + fish oil capsules

Conditions: Signs and Symptoms, Digestive

Summary: the purpose of this study is to determine the effects of the probiotic ke-99 lactobacillus casei when administered with omega-3 fish oil on probiotic viability, fecal make-up and gastrointestinal (gi) health in healthy adults.

this is a randomized, placebo controlled, crossover clinical trial to determine the effects of ke-99 lactobacillus casei with omega-3 fish oil, a probiotic purported to promote beneficial effects in gastrointestinal (gi) health. the study will last approximately three weeks with subjects attending a screening visit and four follow-up visits. the study will involve subjects taking the probiotic product (ke-99 + fish oil)and placebo, each for seven days (as per sponsor guidance), in random order, with a seven day washout in between (as per sponsor guidance). fecal analyses will be done at the beginning and end of each seven day supplementation period so that the number of live ke-99 in feces can be determined with higher numbers being positive (indicates more live ke-99 survived digestion). although the study population will be comprised of generally healthy adults that do not have gi disorders or symptoms, the sponsor hypothesizes that there may be beneficial effects in gi health with the ke-99 + fish oil supplementation. a six item questionnaire will be used to assess changes in gi health (e.g. abdominal pain, bloating and gas) with lower incidence indicating positive effects with regard to gi health.

Eligibility criteria:
inclusion criteria: * female subject is surgically sterile, post-menopausal or agrees to use an acceptable method of birth control * subject is able to understand and sign the informed consent to participate in the study * subject is willing and able to comply with the protocol including:a. attending five visits; b. collecting four stool samples; c. refraining from eating any yogurt or lacto-fermented beverages during the study; d. refraining from using any dietary supplements including probiotics or prebiotics during the study;e. not taking any new vitamin and/or mineral supplements until after study completion. exclusion criteria: * subject has any of the following medical conditions: a. active heart disease, b. uncontrolled high blood pressure (≥ 140/90 mmhg), c. renal or hepatic impairment/disease, d. type i or ii diabetes, e. bipolar disorder f. parkinson's disease, g. unstable thyroid disease, h. immune disorder (such as hiv/aids), i. psychiatric disorders (hospitalized within the past one year), j. any medical condition deemed exclusionary by the principal investigator (pi) * subject has a history of cancer (except localized skin cancer without metastases or in situ cervical cancer) within five years prior to screening. * subject has a history of or currently has any gastrointestinal disease or disorder or any inflammatory bowel condition such as crohn's disease, short bowel,ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome (ibs). * subject has constipation defined as less than three spontaneous bowel movements per week. * subject is lactose intolerant (self-professed or diagnosed). * subject has had any stomach or intestinal surgery (i.e. gastric bypass). * subject takes on a regular basis (defined as two or more times per week) any prescription or over-the counter medications for diarrhea, constipation, heartburn or any other gastrointestinal problems. * subject is currently taking laxatives or has taken laxatives within the 30 days prior to screening/enrollment. * subject is currently taking antibiotics (or any drug that significantly interferes with bacterial flora) or has taken antibiotics within the 60 days prior to screening/enrollment. * subject is currently taking or has used in the past 30 days probiotics (including yogurt and lacto-fermented beverages), prebiotic supplements, or any digestive enzymes \[prescription or over-the-counter (otc)\]. thirty-day washout allowed. * subject is on an unstable dose of medication (defined as fewer than 90 days at the same dose). * anti-hypertensives and anti-hyperlipidemic medications ok if stable dose. * subject is currently taking any medication deemed exclusionary by pi. * subject exhibits evidence of hepatic or renal dysfunction as evidenced by alt, ast, ap being ≥ two times the upper limit of normal or serum creatinine value ≥ 2.0 mg/dl or other clinically significant abnormal clinical laboratory value per pi discretion. * subject has an allergy to fish or any of the ingredients in the test product (see section 3.2.1). * subject has a history of drug or alcohol abuse in the past 12 months. * subject has any condition or abnormality that, in the opinion of the investigator, would compromise the safety of the subject or the quality of the study data. * subject is participating or has participated in another research study within 30 days prior to the screening visit.

Keywords: probiotic fish oil digestion viability