NCT Number: NCT07678567
The goal of this project is to determine an individual's ability to generate active gut microbial metabolites called urolithins upon consumption of pomegranate dietary supplements. Recent publications have reported that urolithins are the major active metabolites responsible for the beneficial effects of eating pomegranates, berries, or walnuts. However, the production of urolithins from the parent compound ellagic acid (EA) is dependent upon the presence of certain bacteria in the human gut. In this trial, we propose to investigate variations in gut microbiota and their capacity to metabolize pomegranate dietary supplements (PDS) into active urolithins. We will measure the levels of urolithins in blood as well as inflammatory cytokines in plasma samples upon consumption of PDS.
Trial opening soon.
Get Notified18 year and older
All sexes
Observational
Louisville, Kentucky, 40202, United States
Craig J McClain, M.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Steve Mahanes, M.S.
CONTACT
Vatsalya Vatsalya, M.D.
CONTACT
Vatsalya Vatsalya, M.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
Ventakrishna R Jala, Ph.D.
PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
A large body of anecdotal evidence suggests beneficial effects for many botanical dietary supplements (BDS) on human health. The U.S. alone spent ~$7.5 billion on BDS in 2016, suggesting significant interest in the consumption of such products. Since ancient times, pomegranate has been known as a 'healing food', with numerous health benefits, including prevention of health risk factors for high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol, oxidative stress, and hyperglycemia (1-4). Despite reported benefits from consumption of pomegranate dietary supplements (PDS), the overall outcomes of clinical trials were not uniform, and the results were inconclusive (5-7). However, gut microbial metabolites derived from polyphenolics of pomegranate have been shown to promote many beneficial activities, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities (8- 12). Thus, the inter-individual variation in human gut microbiota compositions and their metabolic capacities may hamper the predicted PDS-mediated benefits. We postulate that harboring the specific gut microbiota responsible for metabolizing PDS into beneficial metabolites is critical to manifesting the complete benefits of PDS consumption. Recently, we reported one such microbial metabolite, 'urolithin A' (UroA), derived from ellagic acid-rich diets (e.g., pomegranate), significantly enhanced gut barrier function in addition to blocking unwarranted inflammation in colitis models (13) and protected from alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in mouse models (unpublished data). UroA is produced only in 40-50% of humans, who harbor the appropriate microbiota capable of converting consumed ellagic acid-rich diets (such as pomegranates, berries, and walnuts). UroA levels varied significantly among populations, to micromolar levels in some individuals. The direct correlations between UroA levels and human health/disease conditions are not yet available.
This project aims to determine an individual's ability to generate active gut microbial metabolites called urolithins upon consumption of pomegranate dietary supplements. We, and others, reported that urolithins are the major active metabolites that are responsible for the beneficial activities that are rendered from eating pomegranates, berries, or walnuts. However, the production of urolithins from the parent compound ellagic acid (EA) is dependent upon the presence of certain bacteria in the human gut. In this trial, we propose to investigate variations in gut microbiota and their capacity to metabolize pomegranate dietary supplements (PDS) into active urolithins. We will measure the levels of urolithins in blood as well as inflammatory cytokines in plasma samples upon consumption of PDS.
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Healthy Group:
Inclusion: Healthy individuals, Exclusion: AUD, ALD, AC, and inflammatory conditions,
Alcohol Use Disorder Group:
Inclusion: AUD diagnosis Exclusion: alcohol-associated systemic conditions
Alcohol-associated liver disease Group:
Inclusion: early-stage ALD comorbid with AUD Exclusion: Only AUD or AUD with AC
Alcohol-associated cirrhosis Inclusion: AC with AUD Exclusion: AUD, and early stage ALD, as well as determined by the study cohort criteria
Nutricost Pomegranate Extract 15,000mg Equivalent from 1,000mg of 15:1 Extract Per Servings, 120 Capsules for 40 Servings Per Bottle - Vegan, GMO Free and Gluten Free;
Other names: Nutricost Pomegranate Extract
Time frame: 2036 yr.
To evaluate the impact of pomegranate dietary supplements (PDS) on gut microbiome composition and epithelial barrier function in healthy, alcohol use disorder (AUD), early-stage ALD (eALD), and alcohol-associated liver cirrhosis (AC) subjects by characterizing the metabolite and cytokine profiles to inform future trials designed for enhancing cut barrier function in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD).
Time frame: 2036 yr.
To determine if inter-individual variation in gut microbiome is responsible for the production of beneficial metabolites in healthy, AUD, eALD, and AC patients by correlating urolithin levels to inflammatory mediators in both healthy and diseased conditions.
Time frame: 2036 yr.
Develop identifiers for the pathology and treatment development of the study cohorts.
Time frame: 2036 yr.
To evaluate the omics of the subject and the microbiomes in their saliva, urine, and stool. This will help determine what response changes are genetic changes (both bacterial and human) in saliva; and omics, and genetic changes in stool and urine (both human and bacterial) could illustrate their role in profiling these potential modifiable risk factors for AUD/ALD. The data could be correlated with the blood sample-derived cytokine, gut dysfunction, and candidate biomarkers of liver (K18s) and AUD severity (neurotransmitters, such as dopamine, GABA, serotonin, etc.)
Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.
Vatsalya Vatsalya, MD
CONTACT
Venkatakrishna R Jala, PhD
CONTACT
University of Louisville
Other
Supplementation of Pomegranate Dietary Supplements and Characterization of Urolithin Metabotypes in Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Alcohol-associated Liver Disease (ALD)
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