Algae and Cholesterol Absorption

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The primary objective of this study is to investigate the effects of wakame and spirulina consumption on intestinal cholesterol absorption.

Detailed Description
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Objectives: Secondary objectives are to investigate the effects of wakame and spirulina consumption on fasting markers for lipid metabolism, glucose metabolism and blood pressure. Study design: This study is a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover intervention trial consisting of three intervention periods of 17 days each, separated by a minimum washout period of 14 days. Study population: The study population will consist of 37 healthy, non-hypercholesterolemic men and women aged between 18 and 70 years. Intervention: All subjects will receive wakame, spirulina and placebo capsules in randomized order. Subjects will be asked to consume 12 capsules per day for 17 days, which is equal to 4.8 grams of wakame or spirulina a day.

Official Title
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Effects of Wakame and Spirulina Consumption on Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption in Non- Hypercholesterolemic Men and Women

Conditions
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Intestinal Cholesterol Absorption

Intervention / Treatment
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* Dietary Supplement: Wakame
* Dietary Supplement: Spirulina
* Dietary Supplement: Control


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Aged between 18 and 70 years; BMI between 18 and 30 kg/m2; Non-smoking; No elevated serum triacylglycerol concentrations (< 4.5 mmol/L); Willing to comply to the study protocol during the study; Agreeing to be informed about medically relevant personal test-results. Exclusion Criteria: Not willing to abstain from any algae and/or seaweed consumption or algae/seaweed containing products two weeks before the start and during the trial; Use of plant-sterol/stanol-enriched foods (e.g. Becel Proactive) or supplements in the four weeks prior to the screening and/or during the study; Use of cholesterol or lipid-lowering medications (e.g. statins, bile-acid sequestrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors); Use of any kind of medication or a medically prescribed diet, which can interfere with the study; Use of oral antibiotics in 40 days or less prior to the start of the study; Use of food supplements that might interfere with study measurements (judged by the principal investigator) in four weeks or less prior to the start of the study; Indications of treatment according to the Standard for Cardiovascular Risk Management from the Dutch General Practitioners community; Any medical condition that might interfere with study (measurements), judged by the principal investigator, including cardiovascular diseases or events (e.g. acute myocardial infarction or cerebro-vascular accident), diabetes, asthma, COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, and gastro-intestinal diseases (e.g. inflammatory bowel disease); Unstable body weight (weight gain or loss > 3 kg in the past 3 months); Females who are pregnant, breast feeding or who may wish to become pregnant during the study; Consumption of > 14 (males) or > 10 (females) alcoholic consumptions a week; Reported intense sporting activities > 10 hours a week; ￼• Abuse of drugs; Participation in any other biomedical trial four weeks prior to the screening visit; Having donated >150 ml blood within 1 month prior to the screening visit, planning to donate blood during the study or within one month after finishing the study; Impossible or difficult to puncture as evidenced during the screening visit.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 70 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Wakame<br>Subjects will receive capsules containing wakame | Dietary Supplement: Wakame<br>* Consumption of 4.8 grams wakame per day for 17 days<br>* Other names: Undaria pinnatifida;|
| Experimental: Spirulina<br>Subjects will receive capsules containing spirulina | Dietary Supplement: Spirulina<br>* Consumption of 4.8 grams spirulina per day for 17 days<br>* Other names: Arthrospira;|
| Placebo Comparator: Control<br>Subjects will receive capsules containing microcrystalline cellulose | Dietary Supplement: Control<br>* Consumption of microcrystalline cellulose for 17 days<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Markers for intestinal cholesterol absorption | Serum cholesterol-standardized campesterol concentrations will be measured as a marker for intestinal cholesterol absorption | Difference in outcomes between interventions and control at 17 days | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Lipids | Several markers for fasting lipid metabolism, including total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol, will be measured in blood samples | Difference in outcomes between interventions and control at 17 days | 
| Markers for cholesterol synthesis | Serum cholesterol-standardized lathosterol and desmosterol concentrations will be measured as a markers for cholesterol synthesis | Difference in outcomes between interventions and control at 17 days | 
| Glucose concentrations | Fasting plasma glucose concentrations will be determined | Difference in outcomes between interventions and control at 17 days | 
| Blood pressure | Systolic and diastolic blood pressure will be determined | Difference in outcomes between interventions and control at 17 days |