Prebiotic Effect of a Jelly Containing Short Chain Fructo-Oligosaccharides and Sideritis Euboea Extract

Study Overview
=================
Brief Summary
-----------------
The human intestinal microflora is characterized as a complex and dynamic microbial ecosystem with crucial contribution to our nutrition and welfare. Health-promoting genera such as Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. play a key role in digestion of nutrients, production of short chain fatty acids and vitamins, inhibition of harmful bacteria, immunostimulation, reduction of blood cholesterol and ammonia levels and restoration of normal flora after antibiotic therapy. Proteolytic species such as toxin-producing clostridia and toxigenic E. coli are considered as potential pathogens with detrimental effects to human host. Recently, part of novel food research is directing towards the concept of prebiotics e.g. food ingredients that are not hydrolyzed by the human gastrointestinal tract and beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activity of one or limited number of bacteria in the colon that can improve host health. Fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin, are considered as the most extensively studied and well-established prebiotics. In vitro and in vivo data suggest the bifidogenic effect of inulin and oligofructose, which can be attributed to their selective fermentation by Bifidobacterium species. Due to their documented prebiotic properties, both inulin and FOS are increasingly applied in novel food product development through the fortification of commonly ingested foodstuffs. The aim of this study is to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic effect of a functional food containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) and Sideritis euboea extract on the faecal microflora composition of healthy human volunteers.

Detailed Description
-----------------
In this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical study we aimed to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic effects of a functional food containing short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (sc-FOS) and Sideritis euboea extract on human faecal microflora. Sixty-four healthy volunteers (26 men and 38 women) (age range:22-51) were assigned to consume daily a jelly containing 5 g sc-FOS and 0.3 g S.euboea extract or a placebo for 30 d. Stool samples were collected prior to the study on day 15 and 30 of intervention and 2 weeks after. Enumeration of faecal bacteria was performed by plate count techniques. Gastrointestinal side effects were recorded during the treatment period.

Official Title
-----------------
Impact of a Jelly Containing Short Chain Fructo-oligosaccharides and Sideritis Euboea Extract on Human Gut Microflora

Conditions
-----------------
Healthy Adult Subjects

Intervention / Treatment
-----------------
* Dietary Supplement: sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea extract


Participation Criteria
=================
Eligibility Criteria
-----------------
Inclusion Criteria: Healthy adult subjects Exclusion Criteria: History of gastrointestinal disease Chronic diseases (i.e.,diabetes,cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia, autoimmune disorders) History of epileptic seizures Extreme dietary behaviours Consumption of antibiotics and other medication 2 months prior and during the investigation period

Ages Eligible for Study
-----------------
Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 55 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
-----------------
All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
-----------------
Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
=================
How is the study designed?
-----------------

Design Details

Primary Purpose: Supportive Care
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: sc-FOS+Sideritis euboea group<br>Jelly supplemented with short chain fructooligosaccharides and Sideritis euboea extract | Dietary Supplement: sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea extract<br>* dietary supplement: jelly with 5g sc-FOS and 0.3g Sideritis euboea extract per daily portion for 30 days placebo food: jelly with no sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea<br>|
| Placebo Comparator: placebo group<br>Jelly without short-chain fructooligosaccharides and Sideritis euboea | Dietary Supplement: sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea extract<br>* dietary supplement: jelly with 5g sc-FOS and 0.3g Sideritis euboea extract per daily portion for 30 days placebo food: jelly with no sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea<br>|

What is the study measuring?
-----------------
Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| to evaluate the in vivo prebiotic effect of an jelly containing sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea extract on the faecal microflora composition and to evaluate the effect of jelly containing sc-FOS and Sideritis euboea extract on gastrointestinal symptoms |  | 30d intervention and 2 wks follow-up |