Exploring the links between gut length, microbiota, and food energy absorption
Associations Between Gut Length, Gut Microbiota and Food Assimilation Efficiency of Healthy Individuals
This study is testing how the length of your gut and the bacteria in it affect how well your body absorbs energy from food in healthy people.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 40 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology ,Chinese Academy of Sciences Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Shenzhen, Guangdong) |
| Trial ID | NCT06377956 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to investigate how gut length and gut microbiota influence food energy assimilation rates in healthy individuals. Participants will undergo Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to measure gut length and will consume a specially prepared meal while their feces and urine are collected for analysis. The study will utilize polyethylene glycol to enhance imaging and track food assimilation over a seven-day period. Additionally, metagenomics and metabolomics techniques will be employed to analyze the gut microbiota.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy individuals aged 18-40 with a BMI of 18.5 or higher and regular bowel movements.
Not a fit: Patients with gastrointestinal disorders, mental illnesses, or metabolic diseases are unlikely to benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could enhance our understanding of how gut characteristics affect nutrition and metabolism, potentially leading to improved dietary recommendations.
How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies exploring gut microbiota and metabolism, this specific approach combining gut length measurement with food assimilation analysis is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age between 18-40 years old, healthy and disease free. * BMI ≥ 18.5; * Regular bowel movements. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals who are constipated or suffer from intestinal disorders; * Individuals with mental illnesses such as depression and claustrophobia; * Individuals with glaucoma and prostate hypertrophy; * Metal implants in the body; * Pregnant and lactating women; * Individuals with blood phobia, pathologic hypotension or hypertension; * Use of antibiotics, probiotics, oral laxatives within 8 weeks; * Individuals with metabolic diseases (e.g., chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus); recent weight loss due to various medical reasons; * Individuals with infectious diseases (e.g. HIV); * Irregular diet, lifestyle, addiction to tobacco, alcohol or drugs.
Where this trial is running
Shenzhen, Guangdong
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology — Shenzhen, Guangdong, China (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: John R Speakman, PhD
- Email: j.speakman@abdn.ac.uk
- Phone: 15810868669
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.