Effect of Monosodium L-Glutamate (MSG) and Nucleic Acid (IMP) on Satiety and Food Intake

The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over clinical trial. A total of 80 women aged 30 to 45 y will be randomized to a sequence of test product administration.

Subjects will be required to meet several inclusion and exclusion criteria, which will be assessed at the screening visit, including a general screening questionnaire, medical/medication history, eating disorder questionnaire, eating inventory questionnaire, dietary inventory questionnaire, and anthropometric and vital sign measurements. At the screening visit, a urine sample will be collected for drug and alcohol screening, cotinine level, and pregnancy. Alcohol breath test will be performed as well.

After assessment of the eligibility criteria, qualified subjects will be invited to participate in the study. This study will take approximately 3 weeks to complete.

Subjects will return to the study site within 28 days after the screening visit for testing period 1, followed by 2 additional visits (testing period 2 and 3).

Subjects will consume 1 of 3 treatments, based on randomization sequence at each test period visit: Consommé soup with Monosodium L-Glutamate (MSG), Consommé soup with MSG and Nucleic Acid (IMP), and Placebo soup with no MSG or IMP.

When subjects arrive at the research center at approximately 11:30am, admission procedures will be conducted: an alcohol breath test, food and activity diary review, and vital signs and weight will be measured. If vital sign measurements are elevated, subjects will be rescheduled within 2-3 days. Right before serving the standard lunch meal, subjects will be asked to complete a satiety motivational questionnaire. Subjects will consume the entire standard lunch meal and water within 30 min. Immediately after eating the standard lunch meal, subjects will complete the satiety motivational questionnaire.

Two hours after the standard lunch meal, subjects will be given one of the test soups (based on their randomization) to consume in its entirety, followed by completion of the satiety motivational questionnaire and the soup rating questionnaire. Fifteen minutes from test soup administration, snacks and water (ad lib) will be provided and subjects will be instructed to eat as much as or as little as they desire, followed by completing the satiety motivational questionnaire. At 3 h 15 min and at 4 h, subjects will complete the satiety motivational questionnaire.

Test periods 2 and 3 will be scheduled between 3-14 days after completing test period visit 1: all procedures are identical on each test period visit with the exception of the test treatment soup consumed by subjects.

Inclusion criteria

• Healthy Female, 30 to 45 yrs old
• Non-smoker
• Non-heavy Drinker
• BMI between 18.5 and 25.0 inclusive at the screening visit

Exclusion criteria

• History or presence of any serious and/or chronic medical or clinical disease, including renal disease, hepatic (biliary) disease, uncontrolled hypertension or uncontrolled thyroid disease, surgical conditions, cardiovascular disease other than mild hypertension or dyslipidemias, myocardial infarction, or other conditions that in the opinion of the investigator may increase the risk of participation or compromise/confound the study results
• History or diagnosis of type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus or other uncontrolled endocrine disease
• Dysgeusia
• Any history of gastrointestinal disease or currently on treatment for a digestive disease
• Eating disorder or abnormal eating habits
• Undergone a recent significant weight change (gain or loss)
• Participating on a weight-loss program within the past 6 months prior to entry into the study
• Taking any medications for the alimentary system
• Allergy or sensitivity to foods or food additives
• History of using habitual drugs and/or alcohol abuse within the past year
• Psychosis and/or suffering from any other condition(s) which might render the individual unable to comply with the protocol or place subjects at increased risk at the discretion of the PI
• Used any investigational drug or product within the 1 month prior to the screening visit
• On special diet such as vegetarian
• Dislike the preloading soup and/or the provided lunch and/or study snacks
• Currently breast feeding and/or pregnant in the past 6 months