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Prebiotic vs Probiotic in Multiple Sclerosis

Prebiotic and Probiotic Treatment Trial in Multiple Sclerosis

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04038541
Acronym
MS
Enrollment
37
Registered
2019-07-31
Start date
2020-03-11
Completion date
2023-12-30
Last updated
2024-05-22

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS), Multiple Sclerosis

Keywords

Prebiotics, Probiotics, Gut microbiome, Multiple Sclerosis

Brief summary

This is a randomized crossover-designed study to explore the immunologic effects of Prebiotics, as opposed to direct supplementation with beneficial bacteria (Probiotics) in the immune system of patients with MS and Clinically Isolated Syndrome (CIS). Eligible patients will take 6 weeks of two different supplements - Prebiotics and Probiotics. Participants will be randomly assigned to take either of two agents for 6 weeks as their first supplement. Then, participants enter a 6-week washout period. After the washout period, participants will take the second supplement for 6 weeks. After taking the second supplement, participants will have a 6-week washout period.

Detailed description

Soluble fibers (prebiotics) are fermented by beneficial bacteria (probiotics) in the colon to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) which are the main source of nutrition for the cells in the gut. It has been reported that the fermentable fiber inulin and SCFAs may exert some beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory effect on the immune system. To date, the effect of supplementation with fermentable dietary fiber, such as prebiotics in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has not been investigated.

Interventions

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTPrebiotics (Prebiotin Prebiotic Fiber Stick Pac)

Commercially available Prebiotin Prebiotic. 2 packets (Inulin 4000 mg), Twice Daily (Total of 16 g Daily)

DIETARY_SUPPLEMENTProbiotics (Visbiome®)

Commercially available Probiotics Visbiome extra strength, which is a combination of live lactic acid bacteria probiotics that have been cultivated, freeze-dried and mixed in very high concentrations. 2 packets (450 billion CFU), Twice Daily (Total of 3,600 billion Daily)

Sponsors

National Multiple Sclerosis Society
CollaboratorOTHER
Exegi Pharma
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Columbia University
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE

Intervention model description

This is a randomized, interventional trial with a crossover design, in which participants will be taking either probiotic (commercially available Visbiome) or prebiotic (prebiotin prebiotic) for 6 weeks as the first agent. Then, participants enter a 6-week washout period. After the washout period, participants take the second agent for 6 weeks. After taking the second agent, participants again have a 6-week wash-out period.

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

* Adult patients (age 18 or older) diagnosed with MS (Relapsing-remitting type) or CIS and recruited within 10 years of symptom onset, and * Adult patients receiving anti-CD20 therapy (rituximab or ocrelizumab) who have received at least one cycle at the time of recruitment

Exclusion criteria

* Active relapse within 3 months of enrollment * Steroid use within 4 weeks of enrollment * Antibiotics use within 3 months of enrollment * Daily pre or prebiotic use within 3 months of enrollment * Diagnosed with any of the autoimmune disorders: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, Celiac disease, Vitiligo, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Hashimoto's Thyroiditis, Graves' Disease, Sjogren's syndrome, Type 1 Diabetes, Scleroderma, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Alopecia Areata. * Had surgery of the GI tract in the last 5 years (with the exception of cholecystectomy and appendectomy) * Had a major bowel resection * Prior use of any of the following drugs: Mycophenolate/Cellcept, Cyclophosphamide/Cytoxan, Methotrexate/Novantrone, Azathioprine/Imuran, Cladribine/Leustatin/Mavenclad, Daclizumab/Zenepax, Alemtuzumab/Campath/Lemtrada * Have any of the following active uncontrolled gastrointestinal (GI) illnesses: 1. Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, indeterminate colitis 2. Irritable bowel syndrome: moderate-severe 3. Persistent or chronic diarrhea of unknown etiology 4. Severe Chronic constipation or difficulties with defecation 5. Persistent, infectious gastroenteritis, colitis or gastritis 6. Clostridium difficile infection (recurrent) 7. Gastric or intestinal ulcerations/GI bleeding 8. Gastrointestinal or colonic malignancy: polyps, masses, dysplasia or cancer * Active use of bismuth subsalicylate-containing products * Currently pregnant

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Change in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (pBMCs)Up to 24 weeksMeasure the number of differentially expressed probe sets in the pBMCs post-supplementation, as compared to subject baseline. Probe sets will count as differentially expressed based on a threshold of pBH \<0.05 and a Fold Change (FC) \> ±2.
Change in Serum Neurofilament Light ConcentrationUp to 24 weeksChange in serum neurofilament light concentration post-supplementation as compared to baseline. Serum neurofilament light (NfL) will be measured in terms of pg/ML.
Change in relative abundance of gut microbiomeUp to 24 weeksChanges in the gut microbiota in stool samples will be assessed as percent relative abundance at the genus level post supplementation as compared to baseline. Gut microbiota will be identified by extracting bacterial DNA from stool samples and performing metagenome shotgun sequencing.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Multiple Sclerosis Rating ScaleUp to 24 weeksMultiple Sclerosis Rating Scale - Revised evaluates functional status to identify disability in domains other than walking. Scores range from 0 (normal status) to 4 (severe disability).
Bowel Control ScaleUp to 24 weeksBowel Control Scale measures the impact of bowel control on lifestyle. The total score range from 0 - 26 (5 item version). Higher scores indicate greater bowel control issues.
Patient Health QuestionnaireUp to 24 weeksPatient Health Questionnaire helps identify symptoms that could be related to depression. The total score ranges from 0 (None) to 27 (Severe).
Patient Determined Disease StepsUp to 24 weeksPatient Determined Disease Steps assesses disability and walking ability in MS patients. Scores range from 0 (normal) to 8 (bedridden).
Modified Fatigue Impact ScaleUp to 24 weeksModified Fatigue Impact Scale assesses fatigue effects in terms of physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning. The total core ranges from 0 - 20 (5 item version). Higher scores suggest a greater impact of fatigue on a patient's activities.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026