Targeting Gut Metabolites to Optimise Sateity
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Optimising Gastrointestinal Hormone and Satiety Responses through Targeted Delivery of Metabolites to the Human Gut
IRAS ID
349450
Contact name
Gary Frost
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
The aim of this study is to determine the effects of legume digestion-related metabolites, infused into the stomach, duodenum, and ileum, on gastrointestinal hormones, satiety, and energy intake.
Fifteen healthy volunteers will be recruited from the healthy volunteer database. They will attend a screening visit followed by a 3-day inpatient study at the NIHR Imperial Clinical Research Facility. All women of childbearing potential will undergo a pregnancy test. During the study, two nasoenteric tubes will be inserted through the nostrils into the ileum (on day 1), and into the stomach and duodenum (on day 2). Tube placements will be performed by a radiology consultant and will follow the protocols established in our previous studies (REC 17/LO/0354, REC 19/LO/0962). Tube locations will be confirmed using fluoroscopy.
Once the tubes are in place, participants will receive either a saline solution (control arm) or metabolite mixtures (intervention arm) on days 2 and 3 in a randomized order. The metabolite mixtures will be guided by our previous studies, where we measured metabolite profile changes in healthy human guts following the intake of chickpea meals that enhance appetite-suppressing gut hormones. These include simple sugars and amino acids.
Blood samples will be taken during the infusion period to measure appetite-related hormone and metabolite changes and glycaemic outcomes; Subjective appetite scores will be recorded; Urine samples will be collected to measure metabolite levels. After the infusion interventions, a pasta meal will be provided to measure food intake.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/LO/0050
Date of REC Opinion
25 Feb 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion