Microbial Enzyme Impact on Postprandial Nutrient Levels and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Healthy Adults

Digestive enzymes of the human stomach, pancreas, and small intestine, are proteins that help facilitate the breakdown of dietary macronutrients for adequate nutrient supply across tissues and organs. Protease enzymes hydrolyze dietary proteins and release the amino acid building blocks of human proteins. Lipase enzymes hydrolyze dietary fats and release monoglycerides and fatty acids which can be absorbed by enterocytes and distributed across tissues and organs for energy, immune support, and structural support. Some carbohydrase enzymes, such as a combination of amylase and glucoamylase, hydrolyze carbohydrates and release monosaccharides that fuel the grand majority of metabolism within cells of most individuals on a diet that includes carbohydrates.

Digestive function and digestive enzyme output have been shown to decline in several clinical observational studies of younger and older adults, suggesting the potential value of oral, supplemental enzymes in older adults. Supplemental enzyme preparations manufactured by fermentation of non-genetically engineered, microbial source organisms, e.g., Aspergillus spp., have been on the market for decades to support digestive health and gastrointestinal tolerance. However, clinical data in older adult subjects is lacking.

BIO-CAT's proprietary mixture of 6 microbial enzymes ("BC-006") has previously been shown in in vitro gastrointestinal simulations to promote dietary protein, fat, and carbohydrate break down better than control conditions with endogenous enzymes alone (unpublished data). BC-006 comprises a mixture of proteases, lipase, amylase, and glucoamylase. The primary objective of this clinical study is to investigate the effect of BC-006 supplementation on postprandial nutrient levels in healthy, middle-aged to older adults during a mixed meal tolerance test. Abdominal bloating, flatulence, bowel function, and sleep quality will also be measured across 3 weeks of twice daily supplementation.

This study will be a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design trial consisting of a preliminary virtual screen and 4 study visits (Visits 1-4). During the preliminary virtual screening, subjects will provide voluntary informed consent, subjects will undergo medical history, prior and current medication/supplement use assessments, as well as inclusion and exclusion criteria assessments. At Visit 1, subjects will arrive at the clinic in a fasting state. Height, body weight, and vital signs will be measured and BMI will be calculated from a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. A blood sample will be collected for rapid fasting blood glucose analysis. Upon assessment of all eligibility criteria, subjects may be enrolled and randomized to BC-006 or placebo arms. Subjects will be dispensed their assigned study product and will be instructed to consume it twice daily (2 capsules/day) with their largest meals for 21 days. Subjects will be dispensed a paper Bowel Function and Gastrointestinal Tolerance Factors Questionnaire (BF-GITFQ) to be completed daily. The BF-GITFQ contains a series of questions regarding bowel function and the presence and severity of GI symptoms occurring during the past 24 hours. Subjects will also be dispensed a paper Gastrointestinal Tolerance Questionnaire (GITQ) which contains a series of questions regarding GI symptoms occurring during the past 7 days. To assess sleep quality, subjects will be dispensed a paper Single-Item Sleep Quality Scale (SI-SQS) to be completed weekly, leading up to Visit 2.

At Visit 2, subjects will arrive at the clinic fasted and undergo clinic visit procedures (concomitant medication/supplement use, assess inclusion/exclusion criteria, body weight and vital signs measurements), and adverse event (AE) assessment. Subjects will undergo a mixed meal tolerance test (MMTT). The MMTT includes antecubital vein placement, baseline blood sample collection, provision of a standardized test meal with BC-006 or placebo, and blood sampling thereafter for 5 hours. Blood samples will be collected for analysis of free amino acids, free fatty acids, glucose, iron, and insulin. An electronic Appetite Questionnaire will also be conducted hourly during the MMTT.

Following an at least 7 day washout, subjects will return to the clinic at Visit 3 and undergo clinic visit procedures and AE assessment. Subjects will be dispensed the second study product, with instructions and questionnaires similar to the first 21 day phase of the trial. At Visit 4, subjects will arrive at the clinic fasted and undergo clinic visit procedures and AE assessment. Subjects will undergo a second MMTT with the second study product, otherwise identical to the MMTT at Visit 2.

Inclusion criteria

• Subject has voluntarily signed and dated an informed consent form (ICF), approved by an Independent Ethics Committee (IEC)/Institutional Review Board (IRB), and provided Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (or other applicable privacy regulation) authorization prior to any participation in the study.
• Subject is male or female and is ≥ 40 and ≤ 75 years of age.
• Subject has Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 18 but < 30 kg/m2.
• Subject has fasting blood sugar level of 100 mg/dL or lower.
• Subject is willing to refrain from exclusionary medications, supplements, and products throughout the study.
• Subject is willing to follow dietary guidelines throughout the study.
• Subject is able to follow the protocol.

Exclusion criteria

• Subject states they regularly consume supplemental enzymes and are unwilling to stop at least one week prior to screening and throughout the study. Supplemental enzymes may include standalone enzyme supplements, probiotic supplements with enzymes, and any medications containing enzymes.
• Subject states they regularly consume probiotic supplements and are unwilling to stop at least one week prior to screening and throughout the study. Supplemental probiotics may include standalone probiotic supplements, vitamins with probiotics, and any foods supplemented with probiotics.
• Subject states they have an abnormality or obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract precluding swallowing (e.g. dysphagia) and digestion (e.g., known intestinal malabsorption, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic pancreatitis, steatorrhea, gall bladder removal).
• Subject states they have dairy or lactose intolerance.
• Subject states they have diabetes.
• Subject states they have undergone bariatric surgery.
• Subject states they have an active malignant disease, except basal or squamous cell skin carcinoma or carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix.
• Subject states they have liver failure (decompensated chronic liver disease).
• Subject has a stated history of a significant cardiovascular event (e.g., myocardial infarction, heart failure, or stroke) ≤ 3 months prior to screening visit.
• Subject states they are currently diagnosed with, or has a history of severe dementia or delirium, eating disorder, history of significant neurological or psychiatric disorder, alcoholism, substance abuse or other conditions that may interfere with study dietary supplement consumption or compliance with study protocol procedures in the opinion of the principal investigator or study physician.
• Subject reports having undergone major surgery, less than 6 weeks prior to enrollment in the study, or subject has planned inpatient surgery requiring hospitalization during the study.
• Subject states they are currently being prescribed (by primary care physician or other health professional) medication or using an over-the-counter product that in the opinion of the study physician will have an effect on food digestion or nutrient absorption during the study. Examples include prescription orlistat (Xenical) and over-the-counter orlistat (Alli).
• Subject reports having received a COVID vaccine within 1 week of randomization or expected to receive a COVID vaccine during the study period.
• Subject reports having previously had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and experience symptoms for >2 months (i.e., "long-haulers").
• Subject reports alcohol intake as average of 3 or more servings per day (a serving defined as 4 oz wine, 12 oz beer, 1 oz spirits).
• Subject states they are pregnant or lactating or planning to become pregnant during the study.
• Subject states they have an allergy or intolerance to any ingredient in the study product or test meal.
• Subject is deemed unsuitable for study based upon study physician assessment.
• Subject is taking part in another clinical trial.