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NCT Number: NCT04966299

Effect of Daily Erythritol Versus Sucrose Intake Over 5 Weeks on Glucose Tolerance in Adolescents

Childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for prevention of obesity, as obese children are five times more likely to be obese at adulthood than lean children. To this purpose, sugar consumption should be reduced. The sugar alcohol erythritol is increasingly popular as sugar substitute in the food industry and is also recommended to diabetic patients. The substance is freely available. Recent acute studies show that erythritol has a positive influence on satiation and gastric emptying without affecting insulin and plasma glucose. In this trial, the investigators aim to assess the effect of a chronic intake of erythritol versus sucrose on insulin resistance in healthy adolescents.

EryClot-Pilot:

Erythritol is also produced by the human body and possibly elevated erythritol levels in the blood are an indication of an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity or diabetes in the future.

In a recently published study, a possible effect of erythritol on blood clotting function was described. In this in vitro experiment, increased blood clotting was observed when erythritol was added to clotting cells (platelets) in the test tube. Studies in humans on blood coagulation after administration of erythritol are missing so far.

With a pilot study, the investigators study whether erythritol is detectable in the blood after administration of glucose and fructose. Furthermore, the erythritol level in the blood and a possible effect on the blood coagulation function after administration of erythritol will be investigated.

These preliminary tests serve to clarify the data situation so that further studies can be based on them.

The preliminary results of the EryClot_Pilot study indicate that there appears to be no measurable effect of erythritol on thrombocyte aggregation. This implicates that there is a discrepancy between our results and the results reported in a recent published study. This is why we need to assess the effects of erythritol administration on more parameters of blood coagulation as well as in more subjects.

Due to a study published in June 2024, there appears the need to investigate the effects of xylitol on blood clotting function as well.

EryClot in vitro:

In addition to the human EryClot study, we will conduct in vitro experiments (aggregometry assay after addition of erythritol or xylitol in human platelet rich plasma).

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Age range

14 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

St. Claraspital

Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4002, Switzerland

About this study

This trial aims to assess the effects of the daily intake of an erythritol-sweetened beverage over 5 weeks on insulin resistance, glucose tolerance and metabolism as well as on gut microbiota. Moreover, this study will also assess the effect of the above-mentioned intervention on food intake, body composition and gastrointestinal tolerance in this population.

EryClot-Pilot:

The aim of this pilot study is to investigate whether erythritol is detectable in the blood after administration of glucose and fructose. Furthermore, the erythritol level in the blood and a possible effect on the blood clotting function after administration of erythritol will be investigated.

EryClot:

The aim of this study is to investigate the erythritol level in blood after administration of erythritol and a possible effect on blood clotting function. Additionally, a possible effect of xylitol on blood clotting function will be investigated.

EryClot in vitro:

The aim of this study is to investigate the platelet responsiveness in vitro in human plasma after addition of erythritol and xylitol.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

EryAdo:

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy adolescents
  • Aged 14-18 years
  • Normal weight (BMI between 15th and 85th percentile for age and gender)
  • Minimum weight of 45kg
  • Regular sugar consumption >25g/d

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe acute or chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy
  • Regular intake of prebiotics
  • Regular intake of probiotics
  • Regular intake of pro-/prebiotic foods
  • Antibiotics cure within 3 months preceding the present study
  • Substance abuse
  • Inability to follow procedures due to psychological disorders or insufficient knowledge of project language (German)
  • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Pre-existing regular consumption (>1/week) of erythritol
  • Fructose-intolerance
  • Pre-existing diet (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, caloric restriction, etc.)

EryClot-Pilot:

3 participants

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy participants 18-55 years upon inclusion
  • Normal weight (BMI between 19.0-24.9 kg/m2)
  • Informed consent signed by participant

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe acute or chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy: although no contraindication, pregnancy might influence metabolic state. Female adolescents who are pregnant or have the intention to become pregnant during the course of the study are excluded. In female participants a urine pregnancy test is carried out upon screening
  • Substance abuse, smoking
  • Inability to follow procedures due to psychological disorders or insufficient knowledge of project language (German)
  • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Pre-existing regular consumption (>1/week) of erythritol
  • Fructose-intolerance

EryClot:

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy participants 18-55 years upon inclusion
  • Normal weight (BMI between 19.0-24.9 kg/m2)
  • Informed consent signed by participant,

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe acute or chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy: although no contraindication, pregnancy might influence metabolic state. Female adolescents who are pregnant or have the intention to become pregnant during the course of the study are excluded. In female participants a urine pregnancy test is carried out upon screening
  • Substance abuse, smoking
  • Inability to follow procedures due to psychological disorders or insufficient knowledge of project language (German)
  • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Pre-existing regular consumption (>1/week) of erythritol or xylitol
  • Pre-existing impairment of blood coagulation/thrombocyte function (e.g., hereditary, regular intake of anti-coagulant agents (e.g., NSAIDs, heparin, warfarin, etc.))

EryClot in vitro

Inclusion criteria

  • Healthy participants 18-55 years upon inclusion
  • BMI < 30 kg/m2
  • Informed consent signed by participant

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe acute or chronic diseases
  • Pregnancy: although no contraindication, pregnancy might influence metabolic state. Female adolescents who are pregnant or have the intention to become pregnant during the course of the study are excluded.
  • Substance abuse, smoking
  • Inability to follow procedures due to psychological disorders
  • Participation in another study with investigational drug within the 30 days preceding and during the present study.
  • Pre-existing regular consumption (>1/week) of erythritol or xylitol
  • Pre-existing impairment of blood coagulation/thrombocyte function (e.g., hereditary, regular intake of anti-coagulant agents (e.g., NSAIDs, heparin, warfarin, etc.))

Treatment and study plan

Eryhtritol

Dietary Supplement

Eryhtritol-sweetened beverages twice a day (36g erythritol/day) with main meals during 5 weeks

EryClot-Pilot:

Erythritol 50g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

EryClot:

Erythritol 50g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Other names: E968-Erythritol

Sucrose

Dietary Supplement

Sucrose-sweetened beverages twice a day (25g sucrose/day) with main meals during 5 weeks

Glucose

Dietary Supplement

Glucose 75g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Fructose

Dietary Supplement

Fructose 25g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Xylitol

Dietary Supplement

Xylitol 33.5g dissolved in 300mL water administered once per visit

Other names: E967-Xylitol

Water

Dietary Supplement

300mL water administered once per visit

Primary outcomes

  1. Insulin resistance

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Insulin resistance as measured by the HOMA Index.

  2. EryClot-Pilot Thrombocyte aggregation

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= 0, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes

    Thrombocyte aggregation after consumption of test solution measured with a blood sample

  3. EryClot Thrombocyte aggregation

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes

    Thrombocyte aggregation after consumption of test solution measured with a blood sample

  4. EryClot in vitro: Platelet responsiveness in human platelet rich plasma

    Time frame: One single fasting blood sample at timepoint t = -10 minutes

    Aggregometry assay after addition of erythritol or xylitol in human platelet rich plasma

Secondary outcomes

  1. Glucose tolerance: Insulin

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Insulin levels during OGTT

  2. Glucose tolerance: Glucose

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Glucose levels during OGTT

  3. Glucose tolerance: C-Peptide

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    C-peptide levels during OGTT

  4. Glucose tolerance: Glucagon

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Glucagon levels during OGTT

  5. Glucose tolerance: Fructosamin

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Fructosamin levels

  6. Glucose tolerance: HbA1C

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    HbA1C levels

  7. Glucose tolerance: Continuous glucose monitoring average

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Continuous glucose monitoring for average glucose levels

  8. Glucose tolerance: Continuous glucose monitoring glucose variability

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Continuous glucose monitoring for glucose variability

  9. Glucose tolerance: Continuous glucose monitoring time within range

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Continuous glucose monitoring for time within range

  10. Glucose absorption

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Glucose absorption measured by 3-OMG concetrations during OGTT

  11. Metabolomics

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Metabolomics in plasma, urine and stool samples, measured by 1H-NMR and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS).

  12. Gut microbiota composition

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    The taxonomic and functional profiles of the gut microbiota (stool samples) assessed by metagenomic shotgun sequencing.

  13. Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: GLP-1

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Secretion of GLP-1 during OGTT

  14. Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: PYY

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Secretion of PYY during OGTT

  15. Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: Ghrelin

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Secretion of Ghrelin during OGTT

  16. Gastrointestinal hormones secretion: CCK

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Secretion of CCK during OGTT

  17. Food intake

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Food intake assessed with self-reported food records

  18. Gastrointestinal tolerance

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 3 and 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Gastrointestinal tolerance recorded by the "Gastrointestinal Symptoms Rating Scale" (GSRS), 15 items rated on 7 Point Likert-Scale, a higher score means a worse outcome. Maximum score: 90, Minimum score: 0

  19. Body composition: fat mass

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Body composition assessed by mean of bioimpedance analysis: fat mass in kg

  20. Body composition: fat free mass

    Time frame: Change from baseline to 5 weeks after polyol/sucrose intake

    Body composition assessed by mean of bioimpedance analysis: fat free mass in kg

  21. EryClot-Pilot Blood p-Selectin concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= 0, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood p-Selectin concentrations after consumption of test solution

  22. EryClot-Pilot Blood Erythritol concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= 0, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood Erythritol concentrations after consumption of test solution

  23. EryClot blood p-selectin concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood p-Selectin concentrations after consumption of test solution

  24. EryClot blood sVCAM1 concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood sVCAM1 concentrations after consumption of test solution

  25. EryClot blood PF4 concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood PF4 concentrations after consumption of test solution

  26. EryClot blood D-Dimers concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood D-Dimers concentrations after consumption of test solution

  27. EryClot blood Erythritol concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood erythritol concentrations after consumption of test solution

  28. EryClot blood Xylitol concentrations

    Time frame: Blood samples at timepoint t= -60, -1, 30, 60, 120, 180 minutes and 24, 48 hours

    Blood xylitol concentrations after consumption of test solution

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effect of Daily Erythritol Versus Sucrose Intake Over 5 Weeks on Glucose Tolerance in Adolescents: a Pilot Trial

Acronym: EryAdo

Important dates

Study start
2021
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jul 19, 2021
Registry last updated
May 1, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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